Principal Ecologist

Balfour Beatty plc; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure delivery joint venture is seeking a Principal Ecologist to provide expertise in ecological design and management for construction projects. This role is critical to achieving No Net Loss of Biodiversity across various sites in the West Midlands. Candidates must have extensive experience in ecological mitigation and management, strong project management skills, and a degree in an ecology-related field. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Flexible working available

Travel allowance

Family-friendly leave policies

Health risk assessments

Employee assistance programmes

Annual flu vaccinations

Qualifications

• Proven experience in ecological mitigation and enhancement.
• Understanding of ecological legislation and HS2 standards.
• Protected species licence holder preferred.
• Experience overseeing junior personnel.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise on ecological design delivery.
• Ensure ecological projects meet legislative and best practice standards.
• Produce high-quality ecological reports.
• Monitor and review protected species mitigation.

Skills

Ecological mitigation design

Project management

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree or master's in ecology-related subject

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

GIS

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Principal Ecologist role at Balfour Beatty VINCI.

Balfour Beatty VINCI is recruiting for a Principal Ecologist within the Sustainability function. This role will be based on various sites in the West Midlands; travel will be required.

We are looking for passionate and driven ecologists to further strengthen our Ecology Team and are seeking Senior/Principal level ecologists to support the BBV Construction Sublots, BBV Ecology Team, Ecology Technical Specialists and Ecology Junior personnel.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical expertise and guidance on ecological design delivery, particularly on the integration of ecological mitigation into civil engineering and landscape design, with a view to achieving the project goal of No Net Loss of Biodiversity.
• Ensuring the delivery of ecological design and delivery works in accordance with contractual requirements, including HS2 Technical Standards, legislation, policy and best practice guidelines.
• Providing inspiration and technical guidance to the BBV Natural Capital Team.
• The production and/or assurance of high quality ecological reports and deliverables.
• The design, implementation, monitoring and review of protected species mitigation.
• The assurance of the design and delivery of habitat creation and enhancement measures, including adaptive management based on the outcomes of monitoring data.
• Driving initiatives for identification and safeguarding of retained habitats.

Experience / Qualifications

• Proven and extensive experience of undertaking and implementing the design and delivery of ecological mitigation, enhancement and management for construction projects, particularly NSIPs.
• Thorough understanding and experience of implementing ecological best practice, standards and guidance.
• Strong project management experience and organisational skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Degree or masters level in an ecology-related subject (preferred).
• Excellent understanding of ecological legislation for development and HS2.
• Full driver’s licence and flexibility to travel.
• Protected species licence holder; desirable to be a mitigation licence holder.
• Excellent understanding of the utilities/construction/engineering operating environment.
• Literate in MS Office – Word, Excel, Outlook & GIS.
• Good interpersonal skills and experience of overseeing junior personnel.
• Excellent communication skills and a solution-driven attitude in meetings.
• CIEEM Membership or equivalent criteria.
• Experience communicating with Natural England on project species licences.
• Collaborative approach to achieve the best project outcomes.
• Strong planning skills and determination to see tasks through to completion.

Other requirements

• Current valid right to work in the UK.
• Regular travel as required by site-based work.

Benefits

• Flexible working available for some roles
• Travel allowance for eligible candidates
• Family-friendly leave policies
• Health risk assessments
• Access to employee assistance programmes
• Access to annual flu vaccinations

About Balfour Beatty VINCI

Balfour Beatty VINCI is a long-established joint venture delivering critical infrastructure across rail, transport and other projects in the UK. For HS2, BBV has been awarded a 90km section from Long Itchington in Warwickshire to the centre of Birmingham and beyond, with work across bridges, tunnels and other assets.

The project involves significant works including 9.3km of viaducts, two twin-bore tunnels and related structures.