Ornithologist

Following its recent acquisition by SLR, Wardell Armstrong now forms part of a leading global environmental and sustainability consultancy working on projects across the world from over 100 offices. We are looking to recruit a motivated and ambitious Ecologist with particular experience in bird surveying to expand our ecological team at our office in Leeds

Overview of team / business area

You will be joining a supportive team based in Leeds, with the option of hybrid/ flexible working. We have a strong team of over 200 ecologists distributed across the UK and Ireland. We support client projects within the renewable energy field (wind and solar farms, battery stores), infrastructure (road and rail) and commercial and residential development.

The role

You will have the opportunity to work with experienced and qualified/licensed ornithologists and ecologists on an extensive range of nationwide projects. The ecology team works alongside other environmental professionals within WA/SLR, including planners, archaeologists, arborists and landscape architects. In this role, you will assist with the following:

• Ornithological field work, including breeding/wintering bird surveys.
• Habitat surveys and preliminary site assessments.
• Various protected species surveys, including bats, badger, water vole, reptiles and amphibians.
• Reporting, including desk-top studies.
• Data analysis.
• Mitigation schemes.
• Ecological supervision on sites.

About you

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about ecology, with a particular interest in birds and must be committed to seeking beneficial ecological solutions for development activities. We would expect candidates to have:

• Ornithological identification skills.
• Ideally practical experience in ecological field work.
• Ideally a minimum qualification of a BSc (Hons) in Ecology, or similar accredited course.
• A full driving licence.
• An adaptable and flexible approach to work, to meet demands at peak times. As the role is likely to involve occasional longer and / or unsociable hours, a willingness to undertake moderate (significant at times) travel to sites within the UK is essential.

A protected species licence would be a distinct advantage.