WHAT DOES A ECOLOGIST DO?

Updated: Mai 28, 2025 - The Ecologist reviews ecological constraints and delivers on-site guidance for effective ecological management and compliance. Conducts detailed pre-work surveys, manages ecological exclusion zones, and oversees ecological monitoring to ensure environmental integrity. Produces comprehensive reports, resolves ecological issues, and collaborates with specialist teams to support environmental compliance and project goals.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Ecologist

1. Restoration Ecologist Duties

  • Field Coordination: Coordinates and leads field technicians to perform various monitoring protocols.
  • Habitat Monitoring: Monitors for habitat restoration success.
  • Aerial Surveying: Periodically performs helicopter-based vegetation surveys.
  • Technical Reporting: Summarizes technical information, specifically with invasive species control and restoration projects, and prepares activity reports for government delivery.
  • GIS Mapping: Summarizes geospatial data in GIS and displays it in aesthetically pleasing maps.
  • Restoration Planning: Prepares, designs, and implements habitat restoration plans and habitat mitigation and monitoring plans.
  • Wetland Delineation: Performs wetland delineations.
  • Task Order Management: Co-manages task orders, including administrative duties such as staffing, scheduling, and budgeting to meet project requirements cooperatively with the Program Manager, Deputy Program Manager, and Projects Director.

2. Project Ecologist Details

  • Ecological Constraints Review: Reviewing ecological constraints ahead of works and providing on-site advice on ecological management, compliance, and project-specific mitigation measures.
  • Training Delivery: Delivering ecological toolbox talks and ensuring personnel are aware of ecological responsibilities.
  • On-Site Supervision: Providing on-site ecological supervision for vegetation clearance, mitigation, and construction activities.
  • Surveying: Conducting general and species-specific pre-work surveys.
  • Exclusion Zone Management: Advising on the location of ecological exclusion zones and necessary signage.
  • Ecological Monitoring: Undertaking ecological walkover surveys and deploying wildlife cameras.
  • Report Production: Producing internal and external records and reports.
  • Issue Resolution: Proactively identifying and resolving ecological issues in liaison with the Environmental & Sustainability Team.
  • Environmental Compliance: Supporting wider environmental and Development Consent Order compliance.
  • Collaboration: Liaising and working in collaboration with technical and specialist ecologists and acting as an accredited agent.

3. Ecologist Responsibilities

  • Ecological Assessment: Conducts vegetation and habitat assessments, including presence/absence surveys for threatened or endangered species.
  • Wetland Delineation: Performs field delineations of wetlands and other waters.
  • Technical Reporting: Develops environmental studies and technical reports.
  • Agency Coordination: Coordinates with government agencies and clients.
  • Survey Management: Undertakes, manages, and coordinates habitat and protective species surveys, ecological mitigation strategies, and general client advice across a broad range of sectors.
  • Project Management: Manages projects to a high standard and works with other senior team members in supporting and developing others.
  • Technical Writing: Writes, manages, and reviews a wide range of technical reports, including EPSM Licence Applications, EcIA, HRA, and BREEAM.
  • Field and Office Balance: Enjoys balancing field and office work while working on a variety of projects across a range of sectors.
  • Survey Planning: Plans, coordinates, and manages ecology surveys.
  • Team Leadership: Supports the Senior Ecologist and, in time, leads a small team.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Liaises with clients, project managers, and stakeholders.
  • Expert Advisory: Provides expert ecological advice across all levels to support delivery and handover teams and sector senior management.
  • Ecological Support: Provides ecological support across several work packages, including civils, species translocation, mitigation site construction, vegetation clearance, and demolitions.
  • Document Review: Reviews and approves subcontractor documents such as PWMS, RAMS, and ECOW records.
  • Constraint Mitigation: Supports in meetings and advises delivery teams on ecological constraints and mitigation.
  • GIS Proficiency: Competent in the use of GIS systems and QGIS or similar to interpret data for non-ecologists.
  • Site Assurance: Undertakes site assurance visits.
  • Handover Support: Attends walkovers with incoming contractor teams and supports the delivery of handover documentation.

4. Principal Ecologist Accountabilities

  • Business Development: Assist with business development in the South East and beyond.
  • Project Management: Project management and delivery.
  • Team Mentorship & Training: Assistance with managing, mentoring, and training junior team members; conduct training sessions both in-house and externally.
  • Client Engagement: Assist company growth, produce tenders, and liaise with current/new clients, regulators, third parties, and team members to provide ecological advice and share skills.
  • Ecological Services: Coordinate and undertake ecological services, survey work, and act as Ecological Clerk of Works.
  • Representation: Represent the company at meetings, functions, events, and give presentations.
  • Project Delivery: Lead successful project delivery, including site work, and create innovative, pragmatic solutions for clients.
  • Proposal Development: Engage with clients to understand project needs, develop proposals, and ensure proper resource allocation.
  • Innovation & Best Practices: Share best practices and ideas internally, assess opportunities for improvement and innovation.
  • Leadership & Technical Review: Mentor and lead Ecology Team members, review technical work, and provide coaching, guidance, and support.

5. Principal Ecologist Functions

  • Internal Resource Leadership: Serves as a senior internal resource and primary client for ecological work within the Great Lakes region and other locations.
  • Project Management: Performs project management for high-visibility/large-scale projects, including project definition, assessment, permitting, data management, and compliance support.
  • Diverse Project Leadership: Leads diverse project efforts focused on oil and gas pipelines, electrical transmission lines, environmental surveys, NEPA analyses, and permitting services.
  • Contract Management: Manages the development, negotiation, and administration of ecological assessment-related contracts.
  • Team Building: Works with Operations in the Great Lakes region to train/apply current staff or build a team of technical professionals to support existing and new project work.
  • Recruitment Support: Assists with external candidate recruiting as needed for Ecological service line growth.
  • Industry Expertise Application: Applies industry knowledge to lead initiatives that support Ecological service line growth, sales, and project execution.
  • Collaboration: Collaborates with the Ecological lead, business sector leads, and business development managers to evaluate ecological opportunities with existing clients.
  • Bid and Proposal Preparation: Assists in bid and proposal preparation for ecological opportunities, working closely with GES' operational and technical leaders to ensure highest-quality submittals.
  • Client Engagement: Co-conducts sales presentations and informational seminars for potential clients.
Relevant Information
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