Associate Ecologist – Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh | Hybrid Working

Embankment Group is representing a leading environmental consultancy that is looking to appoint an experienced Associate Ecologist to join its expanding team in Edinburgh.

This is a senior role for an ecologist who wants to combine technical project delivery with team leadership, client development and commercial responsibility. You will work across a broad portfolio of projects throughout Scotland and the wider UK, with the opportunity to influence project strategy, support the development of colleagues and contribute to the continued growth of the ecology service.

The wider environmental team includes specialists across terrestrial ecology, ornithology, freshwater and marine ecology, Biodiversity Net Gain, natural capital, arboriculture, landscape, hydrology, engineering and other related disciplines.

Projects range from major infrastructure and renewable energy developments through to utilities, flood management, active travel and green infrastructure schemes.

The Role

As Associate Ecologist, you will take a leading role in the technical and commercial delivery of ecological work.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing ecological projects from initial scoping through to completion.
• Overseeing the technical, commercial and financial performance of projects.
• Preparing and reviewing tenders, fee proposals and technical submissions.
• Identifying and developing new work with existing and prospective clients.
• Managing project resources, programmes and workloads across the ecology team.
• Providing technical leadership and quality assurance across ecological deliverables.
• Designing and overseeing ecological desk studies and field survey programmes.
• Supporting surveys including UKHab and habitat assessments, botanical surveys and protected species work.
• Preparing and reviewing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, protected species reports and technical assessments.
• Producing and reviewing Habitats Regulations Appraisals and ecology input to Environmental Impact Assessment documentation.
• Preparing and reviewing mitigation strategies and protected species licence applications.
• Advising clients on ecological constraints, mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures.
• Liaising and negotiating with statutory bodies, regulators and other project stakeholders.
• Overseeing ecological mitigation and monitoring during project implementation.
• Providing line management, mentoring and technical support to ecologists across a range of grades.
• Supporting workforce planning, recruitment, training and the wider development of the ecology team.
• Working closely with colleagues across environmental and engineering disciplines to deliver integrated solutions for clients.
• Contributing to technical innovation, knowledge sharing and best practice across the wider ecology business.
• Maintaining strong standards around health, safety and wellbeing.

About You

We are interested in speaking with experienced ecologists who can demonstrate:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience within ecology, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Significant professional experience gained within ecological consultancy, environmental regulation or a similar environment.
• Full membership of CIEEM, or eligibility to achieve it, with chartership or progression towards chartership desirable.
• Strong technical knowledge of ecological survey, assessment and mitigation in a UK context.
• Detailed understanding of ecological legislation, policy and planning guidance, particularly within Scotland.
• Experience designing and managing complex ecological survey programmes.
• Strong knowledge of UK habitats and protected species.
• Experience preparing and reviewing high-quality ecological reports and assessments.
• Strong experience of Ecological Impact Assessment.
• Experience of Habitats Regulations Appraisal and Environmental Impact Assessment.
• A track record of managing projects, budgets, programmes and multidisciplinary inputs.
• Experience preparing proposals, tenders and commercial submissions.
• A demonstrable ability to build client relationships and generate consultancy work.
• Experience liaising with regulators and gaining agreement on ecological approaches and mitigation.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring and developing other ecologists.
• Strong organisational, communication and client-facing skills.
• The ability to manage several projects and competing priorities simultaneously.

Holding, or having previously held, protected species survey or mitigation licences would be beneficial. A recognised technical specialism within ecology would also be welcomed.

Projects

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work across a varied portfolio that may include:

• Major infrastructure and transport projects.
• Renewable energy developments.
• Utilities and network upgrade programmes.
• Flood defence and water-related schemes.
• Active travel and sustainable transport projects.
• Green infrastructure and public realm projects.
• Other complex development and environmental programmes across Scotland and the UK.

Career Development

This role offers the opportunity to have a genuine influence on the development of an established ecology team while maintaining a strong technical involvement in projects.

You will have the scope to develop your own specialist interests, strengthen your commercial and leadership experience and support ecologists at earlier stages of their careers.

The business provides structured professional development, access to technical specialists and ongoing internal and external training, with further progression available as the team continues to grow.