Senior/ Principal Ornithologist
Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester

With established teams in London, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, we support a huge range of projects, at local and national levels. We’re enthusiastic about finding new ways to apply emerging ecological principles and methods to the most challenging of policy and development projects, and we have fun working together along the way.

Working alongside colleagues and partners, we apply our skills to projects ranging from energy generation to historic building restoration, regenerative agriculture to strategic biodiversity enhancement plans. We will explore habitats from the Scottish and Welsh uplands to central London. We search for protected species ranging from bats to osprey, via dormouse and otter.

This is also an opportunity to work for a sincere, employee-owned company with strong values and a particular focus on addressing the biodiversity and climate emergencies.

The Principal Ornithologist will be based in Bristol, Cardiff or Manchester, helping to deliver our exciting and diverse orderbook.

Successful candidates will be part of an established ornithology team, while also having the opportunity to engage in the wider portfolio of work undertaken by our UK wide ecology team.

The role will include being actively involved in:

•  All aspects of project management and client communications.
• Planning and coordinating field surveys, in collaboration with colleagues.
• Line management, mentoring and development of junior staff.
• Managing, analysing and interpreting ornithological data.
• Preparing consultancy reports and undertaking ornithological assessment.
• Tendering and wider business development activity.

This opportunity requires applicants with previous experience of ornithology or ecology consultancy, ornithology surveying and management of field work, particularly in the energy generation and transmission sectors.

The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust, which places full ownership of the company with the employees.

Experience and qualifications

The successful candidate will complement our existing enthusiastic and dedicated ornithology and ecology teams. You will share our commitment to high quality science and be motivated to further grow your ornithology skills and wider expertise in consulting. In taking on work, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to achieving net zero, reversing biodiversity loss and improving human well-being.

Essential

• Knowledge of wildlife, especially birds and bird conservation priorities, in the UK, gained through practical experience and further / higher education.
• Ornithological or ecological field survey experience.
• Project management skills, including budgeting, fieldwork planning and coordination and client communications.
• Knowledge of bird survey and assessment requirements to support developments in England and Wales.
• Mentoring and/or line management experience.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Enthusiasm for working outdoors, with a willingness to survey in all months of the year, and in inclement weather.
• Willingness to work across the UK, with occasional trips away from home.
• Willingness to work antisocial hours, particularly during the spring and summer months.
• Ability to work collaboratively and positively with a small team of colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience of writing submissions to support the development management process in England and/or Wales
• Data management and GIS skills
• Modelling and data analysis experience, including collision risk modelling
• 4x4 driving skills

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For further information on this or any other related positions do not hesitate to contact Peter on 07881788772 or peter@huphuphup.com

Our industry knowledge ensures a unique, valued and specialist service. We actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community and offer every assurance that your application will be handled with the highest levels of professionalism. For Further Information on Hup Consulting visit www.huphuphup.com