Senior Ecologist

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With a growing portfolio of work, we are seeking an experienced ecologist to join BDP's London sustainability team. This is an exciting new role which will see you lead on projects across the south region, supporting and working closely with our existing ecologist in the north.

The London studio is our largest studio with a multidisciplinarycommunity of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. The studio has a stimulating range of work, including education, healthcare, science and research, retail, workplace, heritage, and urbanism projects. This role will be pivotal in raising BDP's profile as a leader in ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), delivering commercially balanced, innovative and integrated solutions to our diverse range of interesting projects.

Key responsibilities:

• Plan and undertaking a variety of ecological assessments, in particular preliminary ecological appraisals, UK Hab assessments and protected species surveys
• Work with the statutory biodiversity metric calculation tool, producing habitat management and monitoring plans and completing biodiversity gain plans
• Work closely with our landscape architects to ensure proposals meet BNG requirements and deliver on wider green infrastructure ambitions
• Liaise with other disciplines (sustainability, acoustics, lighting, etc.) as part of the design process to provide robust and meaningful solutions for biodiversity
• Author technical reports required for projects, including planning submissions and planning condition discharge
• Managing sub consultants, organising surveys and reviewing their reports
• Assisting in the preparation of fee proposals, marketing materials and ecological requirements within tenders
• Participating in knowledge share sessions with the team, to ensure continuous improvement of our industry knowledge and integrating this across our projects.

About you

• A formal qualification in ecology or directly related subject
• A full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (or associate member working towards full membership)
• Hold at least a Level 1 Class License for bat, with other survey licences welcomed
• Strong botanical identification skills
• Competent in the use of QGIS
• Knowledge of UK environmental policy and legislation, relevant wildlife legislation and ecological survey methodologies, and applying relevant guidance for surveys
• Experience in contributing to biodiversity net gain calculations and/or reporting
• Exemplary written and spoken English, with experience of technical report writing
• Capability to conduct regular fieldwork.

About us:

BDP is a continuous collective of architects, engineers, designers and urbanists. We design at every scale from city masterplans, neighbourhoods, parks, streets and buildings to specialist, bespoke light and acoustic installations. We are placemakers who work at every stage of the design process from visioning to briefing to design, delivery and operation. We respond to the demands of our dynamic and everchanging planet with cross-discipline design thinking that spans all of life's activities, protects the environment and enhances social value.

Harnessing our collective ethos, the spirit of BDP is about making places for people. Our structure and governance as a global network of federated city studios creates design hubs that are connected to the cities, regions and communities they serve. As part of the Nippon Koei Group, we fuse our passion for architecture and engineering with user-centred design and large-scale infrastructure projects to deliver worldclass solutions for better, more prosperous places.

As part of the larger organisation, the Sustainability Group provides a wide range of services across building design to both internal and external clients. Our current suite of services includes (but is not limited to):

• Thought leadership, research and development
• Well-being consultancy
• Whole Life / Net Zero Carbon consultancy
• Environmental assessments, including BREEAM, LEED and WELL
• Ecological assessment and consultancy
• Post-occupancy evaluation and building optimisation
• Knowledge sharing and training
• Environmental / Energy management system support

Group objectives:

• To evolve and expand the knowledge of the organisation, raising the company's profile for delivering consistently environmentally conscious places and buildings
• To ensure that the company develops and expands its environmental and sustainability services internally and externally, working to influence design proposals and raise design quality
• To become accepted as a resource for sustainable design advocacy and creativity, working closely with different teams to provide low impact, healthy and value added design solutions
• To work with the studios, profession heads and board of directors to ensure the sustainability agenda is communicated effectively throughout the practice
• To work to reduce the environmental impact of our day-to-day operations in line with our ISO 14001 and 50001 certification.
• To be regarded as a thought leader for aspects of the sustainability agenda

BDP offers

In return, BDP can offer you a wide range of learning opportunities to encourage personal and professional career development. From sponsorship to profession-led events, we also offer annual appraisals and a mentoring program which is supported by our online internal learning platform.

We are committed to being an employer of choice and offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package as well as interesting work, a rewarding and friendly environment, excellent office space, and a respect for the work-life balance of our people through hybrid working. All permanent employees can participate in BDP's stakeholder pension arrangement to which the company contributes, the BDP Profit Share Scheme and tax-efficient Smart Benefits, Life Insurance, Long Term Sickness Insurance, Private Medical insurance and health screening, interest-free season ticket loans and enhanced maternity and paternity provision, plus many more.

We offer regular international and studio-based social, sporting, and charitable activities. Some recent events include themed month-end socials, a hiking club, weekly complimentary yoga, wellbeing webinars, and toolbox talks. Our variety of employee forums drives the development of new ideas, giving everyone the platform to have a voice and be heard. To find out in more detail about what BDP can offer you, please follow: https://www.bdp.com/en/careers-at-bdp/why-join-bdp

To apply

To apply for the role please click on the 'Apply' button below the vacancy. You will then need to complete the online application form and attach an up-to-date CV with a cover letter (<300 words) that outlines your experience in fulfilling the above job description. Please include your salary expectation in the application form.

BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly. BDP also operates a hybrid working policy.

No agency or third-party applications please.