Required Skills Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) BNG Reporting Field Surveys Botanical Skills Defra Biodiversity Metric Ecological Mitigation Ecological Management Plans Biodiversity Assessments CIEEM Membership Ecological Impact Assessments Job Summary Our Client, a leading consultancy, is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Senior or Principal Terrestrial BNG Specialist to join their ecology practice in Epsom, Derby or Leeds. You’ll collaborate with a team of ecologists across the UK, delivering diverse, award-winning projects that benefit clients, biodiversity, and society. This role focuses on implementing biodiversity net gain and promoting innovative nature-based solutions across various sectors. Experience - Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or equivalent, and chartership (CEcol or CEnv). Client covers membership costs. - A degree in ecology or a closely related field (desirable but not essential). - Demonstrable project management experience including technical, financial and quality assurance aspects. - Strong botanical skills, including at least Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) level 4, or demonstrable botanical ability matching this level. - Strong working knowledge and experience of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric. Demonstrable experience of undertaking Biodiversity Net Gain assessments. - Strong skills in report writing, including BNG reporting and management plans, and ideally also including preparing Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Chapters for Environmental Statements and Habitats Regulations Assessment (including Appropriate Assessment). - Experience of undertaking quality assurance and technical lead roles for projects. - Demonstrable experience of working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and familiarity with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, including expert witness, would be viewed favourably. - Protected species survey licence(s) would be viewed favourably. - A full, clean UK driving licence. Job Responsibilities Leading on nationally important infrastructure projects, managing project programmes and budgets. Collaborating with their multi-disciplinary teams and undertaking stakeholder engagement. Planning and undertaking field surveys; analysing and interpreting survey results. Designing and co-ordinating ecological mitigation. Authoring and checking/reviewing a range of ecological reports including specialist BNG reporting and management planning. Providing support and mentorship to other team members, particularly early careers staff and those learning to embed BNG in their work. Joining their existing national network of BNG experts to support each other and help drive their technical excellence and innovation. Managing work enquiries, preparing bids and building client relationships. Building and maintain strong working relationships with team, colleagues, clients and external bodies. Supporting the development of a portfolio of ecological work in the Southern region, by building a network with both internal and external clients within the South England region and UK-wide.