Job Description Are you ready to join a team of talented ecologist’s and shape the future of the environment? Join our dynamic Nature team as a Principal Ecologist (or Principal HRA specialist) in our Basingstoke, Birmingham, Croydon, Cambridge, Nottingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, or Bristol offices (though other locations may be considered), and benefit through our flexible hybrid working model. At AECOM, we’re at the forefront of innovation, delivering an exceptional portfolio of Ecology programs and projects through long-term partnerships with key clients. In particular AECOM has a large and growing business within the field of Habitats Regulations Assessment. Presently, we are working on a wide range of projects, including: Major infrastructure projects for the water industry, Renewable energy such as solar farms (including several of the largest solar farms to have gained consent in the UK), coastal defences, electricity transmission network reinforcement, and recreational infrastructure HRAs for many local authority Local Plans, Minerals and Waste Plans, and Local Transport Plans Here’s what you’ll do: Support development of technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex HRA issues; Lead and support delivery of high-quality HRA consultancy and advisory services to both internal and external clients, including through our check and review processes; Lead and support production of HRA reports for Local Plans and Development Consent Orders, across the UK and Republic of Ireland and potentially elsewhere in Europe (note this is a predominantly desk-based role but some travel opportunities are available); Lead on (or develop your knowledge with a view to leading on) interpretation of noise, water quality, and air quality data within an HRA context; Author or technically check project deliverables to ensure high quality outputs; Deliver, or assist in delivering, expert witness services on Local Plan HRAs and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project Examinations Support the continued development of our technical capabilities and reach. Opportunities to assist in providing training to others will be available. Lead and support the preparation of high quality and commercially astute bids and tenders for HRA services, notably in the energy, defence, local authority strategic planning, and water sectors; and Oversee plan, schedule and organise all phases of HRA project work, ensuring necessary resources, budgets and controls are in place to meet both programme and budget requirements. This will include direct client contact. Come grow with us. If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, AECOM welcomes you. This role presents a great opportunity to utilise and enhance your HRA skills, to improve your advocacy and expert witness skills (or to develop them if you have no existing experience of expert witness) and to develop your familiarity of the intersection between HRA, ecology and other disciplines such as recreational studies, air quality assessments and noise modelling. Although the work will be principally focussed on HRA, opportunities will exist to undertake, and develop skills in, other work areas including ecological survey and Environmental Impact Assessment. And let's not forget about the perks at AECOM. You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.