Senior Ecologist
Tetra Tech is looking for a Senior Ecologist to join our high-performing ecology team in delivering technically robust, commercially aware solutions across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects throughout the UK.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Sustainable Ecology
This is an opportunity to contribute to complex, high-profile work that supports the transition to clean energy and sustainable development, while developing your expertise across a varied and meaningful project portfolio.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As Senior Ecologist, you will manage a varied portfolio of ecological projects, typically 4–6 at any one time, delivering work in line with UK legislation, planning policy, and ecological best practice. You will contribute to an exciting range of projects across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors, including Town and Country Planning Act developments and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
You will play a key role in producing high-quality ecological outputs, supporting project delivery from survey and assessment through to mitigation and stakeholder engagement. Depending on experience, the role may also include line management responsibilities and support the development of junior ecologists.
This is a role for an ecologist who combines strong technical capability with commercial awareness, confidence in client-facing environments, and a collaborative approach to delivery.
Your Impact in This Position
You will help shape the success of both regional and national ecology work by contributing technical excellence, sound judgement, and practical solutions to complex projects. Your work will directly support the delivery of major schemes and help maintain a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and sustainable outcomes.
Through your input, the team will be better equipped to deliver timely, pragmatic ecological advice, secure successful project outcomes, and strengthen client relationships. You may also influence the development of future ecological talent through mentoring, support, and knowledge sharing.
Core Capabilities
Technical Ecology Delivery
Deliver robust ecological assessments, surveys, and reports that support planning, compliance, and informed decision-making. Apply sound ecological judgement to produce clear, practical recommendations.
Project Management
Manage multiple projects effectively, ensuring deliverables are completed on time, to a high standard, and in line with client expectations. Support fee proposals, tenders, invoicing, and project financial management.
Innovation
Bring a forward-thinking approach to ecology, with an interest in nature-based design, ecological resilience, and integration with other disciplines such as landscape and hydrology. Champion best practice and knowledge sharing.
Client Engagement
Build and maintain trusted client relationships, communicate confidently with stakeholders, and represent the business as a reliable and knowledgeable ecological partner.
Team Development & Leadership
Support the growth of junior colleagues through mentoring, training input, and guidance. Where appropriate, contribute to line management and help build a high-performing team culture.
Qualifications & Experience
- Sound knowledge of the UK planning system and environmental legislation relevant to the role.
- Competent in UK Habitat Classification and habitat condition assessments.
- Ability to design and complete a range of ecological surveys and interpret findings to inform robust ecological assessments.
- Experience delivering ecological mitigation, including protected species licensing and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) support.
- Full UK driving licence, insured for business purposes.
- Willingness to travel to sites throughout the region, with some overnight stays where required.
Beneficial Training, Qualifications or Equivalent Work Experience
- Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Ecology or a closely related field.
- Full CIEEM membership.
- One or more protected species survey licences, with great crested newt and bats highly desirable.
- FISC Level 4 highly desirable, but not essential.
Working Environment
This role is based across multiple England locations, including Cambridge, Oxford, Southampton, London, and Leeds. It will involve regular travel to sites throughout the region, and some overnight accommodation may be required depending on project location and workload.
The position offers variety across office-based, site-based, and client-facing work. It may include hybrid working and flexibility depending on project needs, team requirements, and local arrangements. The role could also involve limited line management responsibilities and contribution to team development activities.
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Why join Tetra Tech?
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.
We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.
In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.
Recruitment Agencies
We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.
