Consultant Ecologist

Job Description

At WSP, you can find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

As an Ecological Consultant with WSP, you’ll become part of a large, friendly, and diverse team where collaboration, learning and wellbeing sit at the centre of our culture. Flexible working is one of our core benefits, helping you maintain a healthy balance between your work, personal life, family, and wellbeing. You’ll be supported by a strong knowledge sharing team, with access to peer support networks, specialist groups, and open collaboration across all experience levels.

You’ll have the chance to work alongside environmental specialists across the UK, broadening your experience through multidisciplinary learning and exposure to global expertise. With structured training, mentoring, and clear progression routes, you’ll have every opportunity to develop your technical ecological skills, grow your project management capabilities, and work towards protected species licences.

You’ll gain hands‑on experience across a range of large‑scale and complex projects, help shape meaningful biodiversity outcomes, and contribute to nature‑positive solutions. With room for innovation in survey design, modelling, mitigation planning, and application of cutting‑edge ecological methods, you’ll be supported to explore and develop your strengths while making a real impact at landscape scale.

You Will Be Involved In The Following Activities

• Planning and undertaking ecology surveys including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and protected species surveys.
• Preparation of tenders and a range of ecological deliverables including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, protected species survey reports, method statements and management plans.
• Conducting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.
• Working closely with clients, project teams and GIS specialists.
• Applying the mitigation hierarchy and contributing to designing mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures.
• Client liaison and project management.
• Helping to nurture an enthusiastic, supportive, and productive working environment.
• Taking advantage of a generous training and career development budget to complete training (in‑house and external).

What We Are Looking For You To Demonstrate

• An appropriate academic qualification and/or experience in a related discipline.
• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards it).
• Understanding of digital data collection tools (e.g., Coreo, Fieldmaps, Survey123).
• Professional experience within ecological consultancy or a regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of BNG principles and guidance, and experience of BNG assessments.
• Clear, accurate report‑writing skills and ability to produce robust ecological assessments.
• Familiarity with relevant ecology policy and planning guidance.
• Strong communication skills, solution‑focussed and proactive.

What’s in it for you

Work‑life balance

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments, a Gymflex scheme offering up to 40% off annual gym memberships, and a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

We offer “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms dedicated to creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are committed to local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

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