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Principal Ornithologist

Posted 05 November 2024
Salary Competitive Salary (DOE)
LocationEdinburgh
Job type Permanent
Discipline Renewable Energy & InfrastructureSustainability
ReferenceKB-PO-051124
Contact NameKerryn Bland

Job description

​TGRC has partnered with a UK-based environmental and planning consultancy that offers expert services across various sectors, including renewable energy, infrastructure, and urban development. With a focus on sustainable and environmentally responsible projects, the firm provides services such as ecological assessments, environmental impact assessments (EIA), habitat surveys, and landscape planning. The firm is also known for its work in helping clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks, particularly within the renewable energy sector, where they assist with planning and implementing wind, solar, and hydropower projects.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Serve as Project Director for Ecology and Ornithology projects across various development types.

  • Support the recording, auditing, and reporting of project and team performance metrics to the SMT, Technical Directors, Board Directors, HR & Finance, and Accounts teams, drawing on support from Technical/Board Directors as needed.

  • Take proactive steps to minimize risks and liabilities, with a focus on ensuring both personal and team health and safety by following Health & safety procedures and ISO 9001 Quality Management System requirements.

  • Exercise strict budget control and reduce commercial risks to the company by clearly defining and communicating project scopes and timelines to the team before work begins.

  • Continue conducting ecology surveys and data recording to a high standard, primarily to develop survey protocols, maintain skills, and gain site familiarity, rather than for routine survey tasks.

  • Act as a trusted source of technical expertise, particularly in ornithology, providing mentorship and training on best practices. Lead in ensuring updates to ornithological guidance in the UK are effectively communicated to the team.

  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of nature conservation legislation and Case Law, teach junior staff, and adeptly apply these regulations in project negotiations with planning authorities and statutory agencies.

  • Confidently manage the interface between ecology/ornithology and development planning, recognizing and addressing potential synergies and conflicts with other disciplines.

  • Ensure that project deliverables include precise, well-organized reports for baseline, advisory, compliance, licensing, and Ecological Impact Assessments, with high standards of written English and presentation quality.

  • Lead their marketing efforts, contributing to campaigns, press releases, website updates, and identifying relevant conferences, exhibitions, and clients to visit.

  • Drive new business generation by not only responding to tenders and proposals but also proactively identifying and approaching potential clients in alignment the business plan and Line Manager’s guidance. May be designated as Key Account Manager for high-value clients with whom strong relationships have been established.

  • Act as the primary point of contact in the management chain for designated staff within the Ecology Team, overseeing mentoring, workload management, and conducting annual Professional Development Reviews (PDRs) and objective-setting sessions.

  • Collaborate with their Line Manager to set personal PDR Objectives and identify relevant training and professional development activities to support ongoing growth.