Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist – UK Wide

Senior to Associate Level | Flexible / Hybrid Working

Embankment Group is working with a leading environmental consultancy that is looking to appoint experienced Biodiversity Net Gain Specialists at Senior through to Associate level.

This is a strong opportunity for ecologists who have developed a particular specialism in BNG and want to work on a varied portfolio of projects across the UK.

You will support clients through the increasingly complex biodiversity planning and development process, providing technical advice on BNG strategy, habitat creation, enhancement, offsetting and long-term management.

The role sits within a wider multidisciplinary environmental team, giving you the opportunity to work closely with ecologists, planners, engineers and other environmental specialists across projects in sectors including residential development, infrastructure, energy, transport, defence and the public sector.

The position can be based across the UK, with highly flexible working arrangements available.

The Role

Depending on your experience and level, your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering Biodiversity Net Gain assessments for a broad range of development and infrastructure projects.
• Applying the Statutory Biodiversity Metric and associated guidance.
• Advising clients on practical approaches to achieving BNG requirements.
• Preparing BNG strategies, Biodiversity Gain Plans and supporting documentation.
• Developing habitat creation, enhancement and management proposals.
• Supporting the preparation of Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans.
• Advising on on-site and off-site biodiversity delivery options.
• Providing guidance around biodiversity units, offsetting and the use of biodiversity credits where appropriate.
• Working with project teams to identify BNG requirements and opportunities at an early stage.
• Reviewing habitat survey information and condition assessments.
• Working closely with ecologists, landscape professionals, planners and design teams to develop achievable biodiversity solutions.
• Liaising with clients, local planning authorities and other project stakeholders.
• Providing technical advice on BNG policy, legislation and emerging industry guidance.
• Managing individual projects and workstreams, including budgets, programmes and technical outputs.
• Reviewing BNG assessments and reports prepared by other team members.
• Supporting junior ecologists with the development of their BNG knowledge.
• Contributing to tenders, proposals and technical submissions.
• Supporting client development and identifying opportunities for further BNG and ecological work.
• Sharing technical knowledge and helping maintain high standards of BNG delivery across the wider ecology team.

More experienced candidates will also have the opportunity to take a greater role in technical leadership, project management, client relationships and the development of the wider BNG service.

About You

We are interested in speaking with ecologists who can demonstrate:

• Professional experience delivering Biodiversity Net Gain assessments within consultancy or a related environment.
• Strong working knowledge of current BNG legislation, policy and guidance.
• Experience using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• A good understanding of UKHab habitat classification and habitat condition assessment.
• Experience developing practical biodiversity enhancement and mitigation strategies.
• Strong ecological report-writing and technical assessment skills.
• Confidence working with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience communicating BNG requirements to clients and other stakeholders.
• Strong organisation and project delivery skills.
• A relevant degree in ecology, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Membership of CIEEM, or progress towards professional membership, would be beneficial.

Depending on level, experience of project management, technical review, mentoring, client development and preparing commercial proposals would also be advantageous.

Project Exposure

You will have the opportunity to work across a broad portfolio that may include:

• Residential and mixed-use development.
• Renewable energy projects.
• Major infrastructure schemes.
• Transport projects.
• Defence and government programmes.
• Commercial development.
• Utilities and other large-scale development projects.

Flexible Working & Career Development

This is a genuinely flexible UK-wide position, with access to a network of offices but no requirement for fixed weekly office attendance.

Depending on project requirements, there is considerable flexibility around where you work, with hybrid and home-based arrangements available.

Alternative working patterns, including reduced hours, flexible start and finish times and compressed working weeks, may also be considered.

The business provides strong technical support and ongoing professional development, with opportunities to progress into senior technical, project management or leadership positions as the BNG team continues to expand.