Senior Ecologist
Shape Environmental Outcomes Across the UK and Ireland
Tetra Tech RPS is seeking to appoint a Senior Ecologist to join our Planning & Environmental team. Based in our Belfast office, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of ecological, environmental and planning projects across the UK and Ireland.
The position is based in a large, permanently desked office located on the edge of the city with on site parking, strong public transport connections and easy access to major road networks. The role supports hybrid working, with an expectation of two to three days per week in the office to facilitate mentoring, collaboration and team coordination. Flexible working arrangements can be accommodated where project responsibilities allow. The multi‑disciplinary environment provides exposure to a wide range of significant projects, including marine, coastal, regeneration and renewable related developments.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As a Senior Ecologist, you will be responsible for delivering high‑quality ecological input across a wide portfolio of projects. You will take a lead role in designing and undertaking ecological surveys, interpreting data, assessing habitats and species, and producing clear, robust and well‑structured reports to support planning applications, marine licensing processes and related environmental approvals. You will liaise with clients, regulators, colleagues and wider project teams to ensure that ecological considerations are integrated into planning, design and construction from the outset.
You will support the coordination of multidisciplinary project teams, contribute to feasibility assessments, undertake research and analysis, and represent RPS in community or stakeholder consultations where required. Your work will combine office‑based report writing with site‑based survey activity throughout the UK and Ireland, offering a varied and engaging workload across different landscapes and development types. You will also contribute to business development, supporting senior leaders in maintaining client relationships and identifying opportunities that strengthen our ecological service offering.
Your Impact in this Position
Your work will directly influence the environmental quality and ecological integrity of development projects across the region. By bringing technical insight, sound judgement and attention to detail, you will help clients understand the ecological implications of their proposals and support them in achieving regulatory compliance while enhancing biodiversity outcomes. You will play an important role in shaping sustainable design approaches, identifying mitigation measures and supporting the delivery of nature‑positive solutions that contribute to environmental resilience.
As you progress in the role, you will further develop your sector expertise, contribute to technical leadership within the ecology team and support the continual improvement of our methodologies, reporting standards and client service. Your contribution will be reflected in the clarity of your advice, the confidence you inspire in clients and the added value you bring to complex environmental and planning projects.
Your Toolkit for Success at RPS
Ecological Expertise & Technical Capability
You will bring strong technical experience in Phase 1 habitat assessments, protected species surveys and ecological appraisal, supported by a solid understanding of the ecological characteristics of the UK and Ireland. Your experience in undertaking bat surveys, mammal surveys and wider ecological fieldwork will inform your ability to interpret environmental constraints, analyse data and produce clear, evidence‑based recommendations. You will be confident reviewing construction and design plans, understanding how proposals manifest on the ground and identifying ecological opportunities and risks at each project stage. Your interest in ecology will be reflected in your commitment to high standards, scientific accuracy and environmental stewardship.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
You will be an effective communicator who can liaise confidently with clients, colleagues, regulators, stakeholders and community representatives. You will be able to explain ecological issues to both technical and non‑technical audiences, ensuring that findings, implications and recommendations are understood and acted upon. Your interpersonal skills, professional approach and collaborative mindset will help you develop strong relationships across the business, working closely with the wider Planning & Environmental team to deliver an integrated service to clients.
Project Delivery & Management
You will demonstrate strong organisational capability, managing your own workload and contributing to the efficient coordination of project teams. You will be able to progress projects from concept through to completion, working under pressure where required while maintaining quality and consistency in your outputs. You will be competent in the use of GIS and Microsoft Office applications and capable of producing clear, concise and well‑structured reports that support planning and licensing submissions. Your ability to manage time effectively, deliver ecological solutions and meet project deadlines will underpin your success in the role.
Regulatory Awareness & Environmental Governance
You will bring a strong understanding of UK and/or Irish environmental policy, ecological legislation and regulatory processes relevant to development and land use planning. Your knowledge of protected species legislation, habitat regulations and environmental assessment requirements will enable you to guide clients through complex approvals processes with clarity and confidence. You will be able to advise on ecological mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures, ensuring that proposals align with statutory obligations and good practice standards. Your understanding of the regulatory landscape will support proportionate, evidence‑based and defensible ecological recommendations.
Mandatory Requirements
You will hold a degree in an ecological or environmental discipline and be a member of CIEEM or an equivalent professional body. You will have significant previous experience in an ecological consultancy role, hold a full current driving licence and access to transport to enable travel to survey sites across the UK and Ireland. You will demonstrate excellent communication, presentation and report writing skills, combined with the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Why join Tetra Tech RPS?
At Tetra Tech RPS, our people are our success. We thrive on solving the problems that matter — whether through resilient infrastructure, sustainable development or unlocking innovative solutions for clients across the built environment. Our collaborative culture, agile working environment and access to sector‑leading technical expertise enable our teams to deliver exceptional outcomes while building fulfilling careers.
In 2023, RPS became part of Tetra Tech, a global leader in consulting and engineering with 30,000 employees across 550 offices in more than 120 countries. Combining deep local expertise with global capability, we deliver science‑led solutions at every scale. Join us and be part of a connected, forward‑thinking community that is shaping a safer and more sustainable future.
Recruitment Agencies
We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.
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