Ecologist (Ecology/BNG)

Salary & Benefits :

We offer a salary from £41,221 - £51,527 per annum, depending on experience

•    Company Car Benefit 
•    Annual performance related bonus 
•    Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution) 
•    Development opportunities in line with the Ecologist progression plan
•    25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day! 
•    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:  Bradford/ Hybrid Working (a mix of office and home working)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday between the working window of 8:00am-6:00pm. 

We have an exciting opportunity for an Ecologist to join the Land & Property business area and be a part of improving the environment in Yorkshire. 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. 
Land & Property’s Town Planning team provides sound advice to the business on all aspects relating to the planning permission process as well as influencing local plans and third party planning applications to reduce water demand/flooding, improving water quality, and supports Yorkshire Water’s capital programme.  Within the Town Planning team is a Technical Specialist (Ecology and BNG) who provides advice to the capital programme on ecology and biodiversity net gain (BNG) and is leading the development of a BNG habitat bank. 

Where you fit in – 

As Ecologist you will support the Technical Specialist (Ecology and BNG) by providing ecology and BNG advice required for capital projects; supporting the implementation of Yorkshire Water’s BNG approach including managing internal BNG bank, working closely with external consultants to ensure consistency and compliance in line with BNG legislation and guidance; delivering good customer service & minimising risk and cost to the Business relating to ecology on capital projects.  

 You will:

•    Provide technical expert advice to project managers/sponsors and project teams within the end to end process for capital schemes in relation to ecology and biodiversity net gain (BNG) to ensure that Yorkshire Water are legally complaint.
•    Support at a project level, Project Managers/Sponsors in commissioning, reviewing and actioning ecological (including protect species) and BNG assessments and reports at the appropriate time (ie season/planning application stage) to mitigate risk, and support project optioneering, development and design; including working with the town planning team.
•    Support the implementation the company’s approach to achieving biodiversity net gain, producing the business processes, specifications and managing associated data including advice to project teams on design implications and solutions.
•    Commission and review of Biodiversity Net Gain Habitat Management and Monitoring plans (HMMP), and BNG audit reports in line with the HMMP and submission to the relevant body to meet legal compliance with associate planning permissions including liaison with site stakeholders over future management.
•    Manage GIS specific to biodiversity to ensure records are up to date.
•    Where appropriate, undertake protected species surveys and review applications prepared by the project ecologist relating to Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRA) and Assent for works in Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI).
•    Manage ecological data relating to BNG sites and protected species records and review of contractor submitted data
•    Work with the company’s biodiversity team to identify opportunities for overperformance on the OFWAT Biodiversity Performance Commitment and provide ecological advice to construction projects delivered outside of Capital delivery (for example direct via Service Delivery or through the R&M framework).
•    Ensure that the Company maintains and develops relationships with key Local Authorities/Regulators/ NGOs 

What skills and qualifications you will need:

•    Degree in a relevant discipline with at least 3 years previous experience relating to managing ecological risk in the construction and/or utilities sector
•    Experience in the DEFRA BNG metric and undertaking Habitat Condition assessments
•    Experience in UK HAB within PEA’s.
•    Holds at least one Natural England protected species licence
•    Previous experience in the use of organisation and/or district licensing for protected species.
•    Competent undertaking or reviewing HRA and SSSI Assent applications
•    Competent using GIS
•    Willingness to drive to remote locations across Yorkshire
•    Self-motivated and intendent, with excellent organisational skills
•    Detailed knowledge of environmental legislation and ability to interpret and articulate business implications 
•    Develops and maintains effective internal and external relationships

You will also benefit from having:

•    FISC Level 3 at a minimum
•    MoRPH accredited
•    Experience in working in protected sites
•    Holds a variety of protected species survey licenses
•    Chartered status within an appropriate professional body
•    Experience in habitat management planning

The role will involve travel to different sites across Yorkshire, therefore you will need a UK driving licence with no more than 6 points.

We embrace a flexible working model, where our hybrid setup typically requires an average of 1 x day in the office per week. This could be slightly more when collaborative efforts, training or meeting deadlines demand it. You will be required to go on site, which may be in addition to a day in the office. For those who prefer to work on-site, our office is open Monday-Friday during working hours.    

If you’re an experienced Ecologist and want to help us deliver exceptional service for our customers whilst protecting the environment, then apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer for you.  

Please complete the online application process and submit a covering letter and CV outlining your suitability for the role.

Recruitment Process – 

Closing date – 27th June, 2025

We are proud to serve the Yorkshire region and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds to apply. 

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.  

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.