Assistant Ecologist

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water: 

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£30,079 - £37,598) 
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution) 
• Development opportunities in line with the Assistant Ecologist progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus 2 extra wellness days!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary 
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.  
• Retail savings scheme  
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more! 

Location: This role will be based in Leeds Valley Park - Hybrid Working (1-2 days in the office a week – Bradford/Leeds)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Ecologist to join the Land & Property Team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry.

The Land & Property team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.  Join Yorkshire Water and help shape a more sustainable future for Yorkshire. As an Assistant Ecologist, you'll play a key role in supporting the delivery of major capital projects, helping to manage ecological risks, protect wildlife, and deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) across our sites. Working alongside experienced ecologists, project teams and external consultants, you'll gain hands-on experience in ecological surveys, habitat management, GIS mapping, environmental audits and biodiversity enhancement projects, while developing your technical expertise and building a rewarding career in ecology.

Where you fit in:

As our Assistant Ecologist you will:

• Support the delivery of Yorkshire Water’s business strategy by providing ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) advice for capital projects. 
• Assist in the implementation and ongoing development of Yorkshire Water’s BNG strategy, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, policy, and industry guidance. 
• Work collaboratively with project managers, sponsors, designers, contractors, and external ecological consultants to manage ecological risks and opportunities across capital schemes. 
• Provide technical ecology and BNG support throughout the project lifecycle, helping ensure projects remain legally compliant and environmentally responsible. 
• Commission and coordinate ecological surveys and assessments through external consultants, managing delivery timescales and quality of outputs. 
• Review ecological reports and survey findings, advising project teams on implications, required actions, mitigation measures, and project risks. 
• Support project teams in implementing ecological recommendations at the appropriate project stages, including planning, design, construction, and post-construction phases. 
• Develop knowledge and expertise in ecological risk management, stakeholder engagement, habitat creation, biodiversity enhancement, and environmental compliance. 
• Support the delivery and management of Yorkshire Water’s BNG Habitat Bank, including data collection, monitoring, recording, and reporting. 
• Assist with the review of Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) considerations, and other ecological constraints relevant to capital projects. 
• Create, maintain, and update GIS mapping systems and associated ecological datasets. 
• Manage and maintain ecological records, including BNG monitoring information, protected species data, and contractor-submitted ecological data. 
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure ecological and BNG requirements are understood, communicated, and implemented effectively. 
• Support the development and delivery of ecology and BNG training and awareness sessions for project managers, capital delivery partners, and wider business teams. 
• Promote excellent customer service while minimising ecological, legal, financial, and reputational risks to Yorkshire Water.
• Assist with site visits, ecological audits, and inspections, including: 
  - Early-stage site walkovers to identify ecological constraints and opportunities.
  - Construction-phase spot checks on high ecological risk projects.
  - Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) audits and compliance monitoring.
  - Post-construction habitat and ecological surveys.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Hold a degree in a relevant discipline. 
• At least one survey season’s experience supporting habitat and protected species surveys. 
• Experience assisting with UKHab surveys and Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs). 
• Knowledge of environmental legislation and ability to communicate its business implications. 
• Strong organisational skills with a proactive and self-motivated approach. 
• Ability to build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders. 
• Willingness to travel to remote locations across Yorkshire. 
• Interest in ecology within the construction, infrastructure, or utilities sector. 
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), habitat condition assessments, and the Statutory Biodiversity Metric. 
• Experience or interest in GIS software such as QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, or ESRI Field Maps. 
• Developing botanical, UKHab, and ecological report review skills. 
• Experience or interest in Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties, construction supervision, and environmental audits. 
• Experience working on or near protected sites. 
• Membership of, or willingness to join, a relevant professional body (e.g. CIEEM). 
• Demonstrates Yorkshire Water’s values and behaviours in all aspects of work.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy! Do we sound like your cup of tea?   

If you’ve got experience in UKHab surveys and Preliminary Ecological Appraisals  and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.   

The closing date for this role is the 9th of September 2026.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.
All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required. Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

No agencies please.