Location
Snodland, Kent

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£40,000 per annum

About the Role
Are you an experienced ecologist seeking a role that combines hands-on work with strategic oversight and training? South East Water is looking for an Environmental Specialist (Ecology) to join our team as an in-house expert advising on a wide range of protected species. You will hold at least two relevant Protected Species Survey Licences and possess strong botanical capabilities with a solid understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain. This pivotal role involves working within designated sites and navigating ecological challenges related to construction projects.

You will undertake hands-on ecology work, review proposals, audit ecological services, and provide training to colleagues. You will stay ahead of ecological updates and oversee Protected Species Licensing to ensure compliance and best practice.

Main responsibilities include advising on protected species and habitats to enable South East Water to operate in an ecologically sensitive manner, influencing design to minimize ecological impacts, planning and carrying out surveys and mitigation, and communicating effectively with project teams and managers. You will provide environmental advice to ensure projects are well planned and executed in line with environmental constraints, minimizing risks and implementing appropriate controls.

Additional duties include preparing and coordinating high-quality technical reports for internal, stakeholder, and regulatory requirements, reviewing work by others, managing and auditing contractors and contract documents, participating in scheme and programme meetings, and contributing to environment team and project meetings. You will also prepare update briefings and revise policies in response to changes in legislation, guidance, and best practice.

Experience
- Minimum of two Protected Species Survey Licences
- Demonstrable practical environmental experience in survey and mitigation, including supervision of works on site
- Experience obtaining and managing protected species licences
- Proven ability to work within designated sites and manage ecological challenges related to construction
- Experience managing contractors and contract documents
- Strong knowledge of ecology relevant to South East England, including protected species, invasive non-native species, designated sites, and biodiversity net gain
- Excellent communication skills with a wide range of internal and external audiences
- Ability to train others and provide environmental advice
- Full, clean driving licence with ability to travel across company region as required

About you
You are a skilled and technically qualified environmentalist who can influence design to minimize ecological impacts while enabling business operations. You are proactive in staying updated with ecological legislation and best practice, and you are confident in preparing detailed technical reports and delivering training. You work well with project teams, stakeholders, and regulators, ensuring environmental risks are effectively managed and mitigated.

Qualifications
- Technically qualified environmentalist with a degree, HND, or equivalent work-related experience
- It is desirable to have a degree in a scientific discipline or relevant work-related area
- Membership of a professional chartership or working towards it is a bonus
- Strong botanical survey skills are advantageous
- Knowledge of relevant planning processes including Environmental Impact Assessment (Ecology Chapter)
- Experience with GIS, biodiversity net gain, aquatic environments, and project management including finances is beneficial