Assistant Ecologist

Company Description

Assistant Ecologist

Salary: PS1 (SCP 29-31) £39,862 – £41,771 per annum

Hybrid working – working two days from one of the below office locations

Location: Newtown, Llandrindod, Aberystwyth

The Assistant Ecologist will be responsible for assisting the Climate Change and Environmental Team with implementing the requirements of Welsh Government (WG) policy and environmental legislation such as Wildlife and Countryside Act 1980 and Section 6 of Environment Wales Act. To provide professional ecological advice and support to NMWTRA and our partners regarding the assessment, impact and mitigation of our operations on ecology and biodiversity, ensuring NMWTRA is both compliant with legislation and maximising biodiversity opportunities. To provide direct ecological support and technical advice to NMWTRA Capital delivery and maintenance teams including review of internal and external documents, surveys and reporting, technical advice, attendance of meetings and site supervision.

Work within the Environment Team to manage the soft estate inventory including the identification of the location and condition of ecological assets. The Assistant Ecologist will also propose, design and manage a programme of ecological enhancement projects developed from routine and reactive maintenance activities associated with the soft estate and environmental management, assist the Ecologist and Environment Team and other NMWTRA staff with obtaining NRW licences where required and discharging any conditions and requirements such as surveys, monitoring and reporting to ensure compliance, and work with the Environment Team to manage projects related to ecological enhancement and mitigation works.

For specific queries relating to this post, please contact Hannah Jones on 07773 616096.

For this post, the ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable and English is essential.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes – Essential

• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Self-motivated, committed and with personal initiative.
• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills with ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Ability to work safely under pressure and to deal with tight deadlines.
• Able to work with limited supervision, to prioritise own workload.
• Good organisational skills, innovative and forward thinking.
• Ability to communicate in a courteous, tactful and diplomatic way when dealing with contentious issues, understanding policies and constraints of others.
• Ability to provide guidance, manage, supervise and lead on ecological matters within NMWTRA teams and projects.
• Ability to persevere with achieving ecological best practice and legislative compliance when this is not always a popular decision with others.
• Ability to work in consultation and partnership with external organisations and consultants.
• Dedicated to accuracy and delivery of tasks to achieve best outcome for environment.
• Evidence of commitment to continuing personal and professional development.
• Frequently work hours which are outside normal hours as required.

Personal Attributes – Desirable

• Good written and verbal communication skills in both the Welsh and English language.

Qualifications and Relevant Training – Essential

• Degree or MSc in Zoology, Botany, Ecology or a relevant ecological subject. HNC/HND/NVQ (Level 4) in an ecology related subject and at least 5 years’ relevant experience.

Qualifications and Relevant Training – Desirable

• Membership of a relevant professional body, e.g. CIEEM.
• Holder of Protected Species Licences, for example bats, dormice, great crested newts.
• Training for specialist species mitigation.
• Training in Habitat Classification.
• Training in species identification.
• Training as an Ecological or Environmental Clerk of Works.
• Training in Ecological Survey Techniques.
• Courses in use of IT, e.g. Excel, Word, GIS.
• Training in Traffic Management, e.g. New Roads and Streetworks Act Chapter 8 and National Highway Sector Scheme 12D(M7).
• Appropriate LISS/CSCS accreditation.
• Health & Safety training.

Relevant Experience – Essential

• Experience in undertaking ecological surveys for species and habitats.
• Understanding of the ecology of a range of common protected species.
• Experience in identification of a range of common UK species and habitats.
• Involvement in the development of species or habitat mitigation and enhancement works.
• Experience in applying for and obtaining licences for Protected Species and Sites.
• Good understanding of relevant Wales/UK Environmental Legislation, especially for Nature Conservation.

Relevant Experience – Desirable

• Experience in developing specialist mitigation and enhancement measures for protected species.
• Experience working successfully as an Ecological or Environmental Advisor for planning, development or infrastructure projects.
• Experience as an Ecological Clerk of Works for projects.
• Experience working with others to resolve conflicts between ecological and engineering or other requirements.
• Experience in undertaking Phase 1 surveys and/or UKHabs habitat mapping.
• Wide range of experience in ecological, environmental and habitat management.
• Experience with Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments.
• Experience delivering and managing projects for wildlife and habitat mitigation and enhancement.
• Experience in procurement and managing budgets.

Skills and Specialist Knowledge – Essential

• Ability to use Geographical Information Systems (GIS), capture data in the field, analyse and manipulate data, produce maps and reports.
• IT literate – use of Word, Excel spreadsheets and databases.
• Skills in concise report writing, data management and interpretation.
• Ability to scrutinise reports and documents produced by others to ensure content is satisfactory.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills to a wide range of audiences, with the ability to motivate and educate others.
• Practical skills in identifying main species groups and knowing where to find further information.
• Problem-solving skills and finding ways to resolve conflict and achieve quality results.
• Knowledge of UK nature conservation legislation, wider environmental legislation, standards and Industry Good Practice guidance.
• Health and Safety awareness.
• Current valid Driving Licence.

Skills and Specialist Knowledge – Desirable

• Ability to undertake specialist surveys, e.g. botanical surveys or specific species surveys such as bats, dormice, otters, badgers, water voles.
• Experience using a range of specialist wildlife detection equipment such as bat detectors or trail cameras.
• Experience using Highways-related guidance, e.g. Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
• Experience working on transport infrastructure projects and management of the Soft Estate.