AtkinsRéalis
Senior/Principal Ecologist
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Senior/Principal Ecologist
Senior Ecologist – Nature Positive Schemes
Shape the future of our cities and environments with AtkinsRéalis, where our people’s diversity of thought, expertise, and knowledge drive game-changing work across a wide range of projects.
Our ecology team is committed to making a positive difference to the natural environment, collaborating with other disciplines from the project outset to ensure ecology is considered at the earliest stage. This partnership-driven approach enables us to deliver nature-positive schemes that we’re proud to champion—from habitat creation and research to major infrastructure projects.
Our award-winning ecology team of over 130 ecologists includes the President of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and three CIEEM Fellows. We foster a flexible, inclusive, and collaborative environment where staff wellbeing is a priority, and we actively work to make entry into the environmental sector more inclusive for everyone—without requiring a degree.
We value hands-on experience, a passion for ecology, and the drive to belong to a thriving team.
Your Role
Working both independently and collaboratively in a team environment, you will:
- Undertake ecological assessment and habitat design for development and nature recovery projects.
- Develop innovative and pragmatic approaches to ecological mitigation and compensation.
- Collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams, engaging with stakeholders and clients.
- Deliver clear, concise, and high-quality ecological deliverables in line with current guidance and best practice.
- Conduct quality assurance of ecological outputs.
- Act as the ecology lead on projects, including task/project management.
- Provide mentorship and line management where needed.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
To excel in this role, you should possess:
- A passion for ecology and a deep understanding of wildlife legislation.
- Expertise in:
- Conducting UKHab surveys, Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
- Writing precise, high-quality ecological reports.
- Strong botanical skills, such as Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) Level 3+, or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
- Experience in protected species surveying, mitigation, and licensing.
- An understanding of bid-winning strategies and client relationship management.
- Ability to manage ecology projects from proposal to delivery.
- Membership of CIEEM (or equivalent) with a route to Chartership (CEnv or CEcol).
- A full UK driving licence.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
AtkinsRéalis: Our Culture & Growth
We prioritise people-first policies, offering:
- Flexible, remote, and hybrid working options to balance career and life.
- Entry without a degree—experience, practical skills, and team fit matter most.
- Competitive salaries, rewards packages, and bespoke benefits tailored to your needs.
- Training and professional development opportunities to advance your career.
- A supportive, inclusive environment for individuals from all backgrounds.
We commit to gender equality, diversity, and accessibility, ensuring every employee feels valued and empowered.
Security Note
This position requires security clearance checks. As part of the vetting process, applicants must provide UK residency proof of 5 years or more, if required. Please do not mention any current or past security clearance in your application.
#LI-INFRASTRUCTURE | #EnviroJobs | #EcjobsUK
For more details, visit AtkinsRéalis or explore our LinkedIn page.
Created by a global engineering leader since 1911, AtkinsRéalis holds a legacy of innovating sustainable infrastructure solutions—connecting people, technology, and data to engineer a better future.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills