Principal Ecologist - Technical Lead

Join a global professional services leader. We are committed to solving the world's biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy and urbanisation.

GHD's Natural Resources group has an opportunity for a Principal Ecologist/Technical Director - Biodiversity to join our ecology team in NSW to assist with the delivery of a range of exciting and high-profile projects.

You will have the opportunity to work in a broad range of conservation, impact assessment and monitoring projects, and with vegetation types including chenopod shrubland, grassland, wetland, forest and woodland communities, from the outback NSW to the Coast, in partnership with GHD's clients, land managers and state government bodies.

You will join and collaborate with our passionate and well-established cohort of terrestrial and aquatic ecologists, to deliver projects and to help guide and mentor junior team members. You will also maintain true work-life balance in a fun, supportive and inclusive team, blended with the opportunity to enjoy a secure and rewarding role, and the numerous benefits of being in a large-scale, employee-owned organisation.

We provide flexible work arrangements - balancing time in the office, working from home and site-based field surveys. Your role can be part-time or full-time, and can be based in any of our NSW locations, with a preference for Newcastle, Sydney, or another regional centre.

This diverse and exciting position will see you involved in:

• Field-based botanical survey work, including vegetation mapping, ecological monitoring, targeted threatened flora survey and vegetation integrity plots using the Biodiversity Assessment Method.
• Ecological impact assessments and offsetting for a range of projects from small scale infrastructure impact assessments to assisting with major projects of state significance.
• Ecological monitoring, involving the design and implementation of monitoring programs, surveys for threatened species, running long-term monitoring projects, assessing the benefits of environmental watering projects etc.
• Preparation of proposals and technical reports for public and private sector clients.
• Managing both ecology focused and multi-disciplinary projects, working with and supporting teams with the delivery of projects.
• Working with the Natural Resources Group Leader and other senior staff to assist with business planning and make strategic decisions for the group's development.
• Collaborating with GHD staff from a range of disciplines including Environmental Planners, Cultural Heritage Advisors, Spatial scientists, Hydrogeologists, Engineers, Project Managers etc.
• Opportunities to work on projects interstate and undertake fieldwork nationally.
• Be part of a team of 12 ecologists in NSW and over 100 nationally.
• Take advantage of working with technical experts from a range of fields to come up with innovative ways to answer ecological problems and deliver creative solutions for our clients.

What you will bring to the team

• 10 or more years of experience conducting vegetation surveys in NSW.
• Strong ability to develop and build upon client relationships from experience in a similar consulting role.
• Biodiversity Assessment Method accreditation and experience in the preparation of Prepare and/or provide input into technical reports including BDARs, BCARs, BSSARs, Referrals, management plans and other reports.
• Good botanical identification skills, including experience using dissecting microscopes and identification keys.
• Willingness to travel and work in remote areas.
• Experience liaising with clients and approval authorities on complex projects.
• Commitment to high quality and technically robust deliverables.
• Ability to work under pressure to tight timeframes and within budgets.
• Willingness to work flexibly and independently, particularly when undertaking flora surveys and traveling to remote locations.
• Willingness to work with a cohort of senior ecologists to guide and support more junior team members.
• Understanding of national and state environmental legislation and policy (e.g. BC Act, EPBC Act, EP&A Act).
• Well-developed interpersonal skills: A great teammate, who builds rapport with both internal & external partners.
• A current full NSW driver's license.
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Science with a Botany, Ecology or Environmental Science major.

GHD is an equal opportunity employer, and we want everyone to be able to fully participate in our recruitment process. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all identities.

GHD embraces hybrid work arrangements to create a work environment focused on well-being, flexibility and productivity where GHD people can thrive, this supports the diverse needs of our workforce while balancing the benefits of remote working with the value of face-to-face collaboration in the office.