Senior Ecologist/ornithologist

**Senior Ecologist**

**Location**: Stirling / Glasgow / Horsley
**Hours**: 37.5 per week, Monday-Friday
**Department**: Consenting & Environment
**Reports to**: Associate Technical Director
**Direct Reports**: Ecologist / Ornithologist, Consultant Ecologist / Ornithologist

**About Us**

At Natural Power, we’ve been pioneers of positive renewable change for more than 30 years. Our **Consenting & Environment** team delivers planning and environmental services across the full lifecycle of renewable energy projects. We bring together planners, project managers and technical specialists to support our clients through site identification, feasibility, scoping, EIA, HRA, and post-consent stages.

We are now looking for a **Senior Ecologist** to join our Onshore Ecology team. This is an excellent opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of renewable energy projects across the UK and Ireland, alongside a forward-thinking, collaborative and professional team.

**The Opportunity**

As a Senior Ecologist, you’ll use your technical knowledge and project management skills to provide ecological advice, manage surveys and assessments, produce high-quality technical documentation, and guide clients through the planning and consents process. You’ll also play a role in mentoring colleagues, liaising with consultees and landowners, and representing Natural Power at industry events.

This role offers the chance to make a meaningful contribution to renewable energy development, with opportunities to take on specialist surveys, shape projects from early feasibility through to construction, and further develop your professional skills.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Provide ecological advice to colleagues, clients and consultees, including survey design, data collection, analysis, interpretation and impact assessments.
- Manage multiple projects of varying scale, including survey logistics, stakeholder liaison and budgets.
- Undertake or lead survey work, depending on expertise.
- Maintain awareness of current guidance and best practice in onshore renewables ecology.
- Build and manage relationships with clients, consultees, industry contacts and colleagues.
- Contribute to business development, including identifying opportunities, supporting tenders and raising Natural Power’s profile at industry events.
- Provide training and guidance to junior team members.

**About You**

**Essential criteria**:

- Degree (or equivalent experience) in Biology, Ecology, Zoology or a related discipline.
- Knowledge and experience of ecological survey design, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
- Experience producing ecological inputs for EIA (including chapters and technical reports).
- Strong understanding of onshore renewables sector and UK planning/permitting processes.
- Experience in project management, including managing time, budgets and resources.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate teams and build strong client relationships.
- Flexible and proactive, able to manage concurrent tasks and respond to changing demands.
- Full valid UK driving licence.

**Desirable criteria**:

- Professional membership (e.g. CIEEM or IEMA).
- Knowledge of Habitat Regulations, Biodiversity Net Gain and/or Development Consent Orders.
- Experience providing environmental support during wind farm construction.
- Experience training or managing a team of specialists.
- A network of relevant industry and consultee contacts.
- Experience of renewable projects in England, Wales or Ireland, or offshore wind EIAs.

**What We Offer**

We provide an engaging, collaborative and supportive working environment, alongside an excellent benefits package that includes:

- Generous annual leave allowance
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Employee assistance programme
- Health plans, personal insurances, discounts and salary sacrifice schemes
- Opportunities for ongoing training and professional development

**Diversity & Inclusion**

Natural Power is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status.

**How to Apply**

You can find the full role profile for this vacancy attached below. Details of all our current opportunities are available on our website.
- Natural Power reserves the right to remove this vacancy at any time_