Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist (UK wide)

Jacobs Technology Inc.; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in the UK is seeking a Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist to lead BNG strategies across projects. This role involves applying biodiversity metrics, collaborating with teams, and ensuring compliance with environmental legislation. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of the biodiversity net gain approach and experience in ecological input to projects. The position offers flexible working arrangements and opportunities in various UK offices.

Benefits

Global Career Framework

Chartership Academy Programme

Employee Networks & Communities of Practice

Culture of collaboration and sustainability

Qualifications

• Detailed knowledge of biodiversity net gain legislation and policies.
• Experience in designing biodiversity net gain solutions.
• Strong reporting skills related to national legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead biodiversity net gain approaches in projects.
• Ensure quality standards through assessment and reporting.
• Engage with stakeholders and clients effectively.

Skills

Biodiversity net gain approach

Habitat restoration

Technical reporting skills

Effective client engagement

Leadership skills

Understanding of project consenting

Education

Chartered membership of a professional body

Job description

Overview

Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist (UK wide)

We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist to lead the development and delivery of BNG strategies across our projects. This is a pivotal role in shaping our environmental impact, ensuring compliance with emerging legislation, and driving nature-positive outcomes.

We’re hiring nationwide, with opportunities available in our offices across Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough and Reading. Wherever you’re based, you’ll find a welcoming team and exciting projects waiting for you.

At Jacobs, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. You’ll be joining a respected and ambitious company with a strong reputation for excellence and innovation. Our commitment to your growth is backed by

• 🌍 Global Career Framework – chart your path with clarity and purpose
• 🎓 Chartership Academy Programme – support to achieve professional accreditation
• 🌍 Employee Networks & Communities of Practice – connect with over 200 ecologists in the UK & Ireland, and 600+ globally
• 🌱 A culture of collaboration and sustainability – work on projects that matter

Positions are available on a permanent full-time and part-time, job share or flexible basis.

The role will include

• Lead on applying a biodiversity net gain approach to projects, including the use of biodiversity metrics and the design and delivery of net gain solutions
• Work in multidisciplinary teams – quickly building rapport and trust to ensure that terrestrial ecology requirements are recognised, acknowledged and designed into projects to maximise outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Support and engage with our Geospatial team to deliver innovative digital approaches to assessment
• Ensure quality standards by delivering assessments / reports through quality assurance protocols
• Contribute to our broader Nature Positive offering, including natural capital and environmental net gain approaches
• Leverage your experience of biodiversity net gain to support other ecology deliverables such as Ecological Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulation Appraisals
• Develop and share skills that build team and individual capability. This will include engagement with our global communities of practice, externally facing communications (conferences, presentations, client meetings) and training events

Here’s what you’ll need

• Detailed working knowledge of the biodiversity net gain approach, including the Defra Statutory Biodiversity Metric, and the underpinning policy and legislative drivers
• Working knowledge of designing for biodiversity net gain including knowledge and experience of habitat restoration, enhancement and creation techniques
• Technical reporting skills in cognisance of national legislation and guidance including experience of preparing habitat management and monitoring plans
• Effective client, stakeholder and regulator engagement
• Leadership skills in ecological input to projects
• Understanding of project consenting and construction
• Chartered membership of a professional body (or experience to obtain chartership)

Our Culture

Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and diversity. We put people at the heart of our business and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected, and if we are diverse, we’re more creative. We accept people for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. This is reflected in our wide range of Global Employee Networks centred on inclusion and diversity – ACE, Careers, Enlace, Harambee, OneWorld, Prism, Women and Vetnet. Find out more about our employee networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain diverse talent. For greater online accessibility please visit www.vercida.com to view and access our roles. As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team.

Your application experience is important to us and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. We welcome feedback on our recruitment process and if you need more from us before deciding to join Jacobs then please let us know.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit www.vercida.com to view and access our roles. As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

Final paragraph – Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

Seniority level

• Not Applicable

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Other
• Industries
• Civil Engineering, Design Services, and IT Services and IT Consulting