Principal Consultant – Environmental and Ecological Assessment

Overview

Lead aquatic ecology assessments and manage a consulting team for water & environmental projects.

Key Responsibilities

• team lead
• regulatory assessments
• field survey
• data analysis
• mitigation planning
• multidisciplinary collaboration

Tasks

-Lead and develop a team of aquatic ecologist, supporting and training junior staff. -Contribute to the production of consents such as Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD), Drought Permits and INNS assessments as a technical author or reviewer. -With the support of your team of ecologist deliver expertise in aquatic ecology investigations across all project stages, from bidding/feasibility/optioneering, extensive field survey programming, detailed design and assessment. -You will work collaboratively as part of a wider team of multi-disciplinary water and environmental experts that include specialists in the fields of EIA, HRA, water resources, hydro-ecology, ground and surface water hydrology, geomorphology, water quality and natural capital. -Leading, planning and co-ordinating field surveys, analysing and interpreting survey results and planning and co-ordinating ecological mitigation works.

Requirements

• aquatic ecology
• wfd assessments
• wildlife legislation
• team leader
• communication
• degree

What You Bring

-Demonstrable specialist knowledge in either fisheries, macroinvertebrate or macrophyte ecology preferable. -The ability to be flexible around business needs. -A first degree in a relevant environmental discipline ideally with a post graduate degree. -Be organised with proven ability to multi-task and handle several projects simultaneously. -A good understanding of WFD assessments, in particular the biological metrics and indices that inform ecological status. -A proactive self-motivated thinker. -The role of Principal Consultant will require strong organisation skills and ability to communicate with colleagues and clients to deliver projects to budget and programme. -A self-starter, as you’ll be part of a small, busy team. Excellent team working skills are therefore essential together with strong communication skills, sound understanding of ecological impact assessment and a close attention to detail. -Capable at leading Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments. -Extensive and relevant experience as a team leader in undertaking and reviewing aquatic ecology assessments and supporting surveys within the UK water industry. -Proven technical reviewing skills. -The ability to manage and support technical input into proposals. -Excellent organisational, communication and presentation skills upholding client and stakeholder relationships. -Excellent written and verbal communication skills; be able to produce meticulous and accurate technical reports as well as communicate confidently with a variety of clients and stakeholders. -The ability to manage and prioritise workload and assist others in doing so. -In depth knowledge of UK and EU Wildlife Legislation, planning policies, licensing requirements and best practice survey techniques. -Ability to manage multiple projects/proposals concurrently.

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About Ricardo Plc

-Evolved from combustion technology to strategic consultancy, Ricardo now serves as a global engineering powerhouse. -Headquartered in England, it shifted focus from manufacturing to delivering engineering and strategic consultancy. -Key achievements include guiding clients through decarbonization and technical transformation in transport, energy, and environment. -Award-winning projects include carbon-capture plants, hydrogen fuel-cell ships, and digital energy-modelling tools for governments. -Iconic projects include diesel speed records, McLaren supercar engines, and Taxibot aircraft tugs, showcasing over a century of innovation. -Now publicly listed, it combines technical expertise with strategic consultancy to spearhead complex, sustainable projects across sectors.

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