Principal Ecologist

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world.

We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.

Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise and digital solutions to our work in transportation, buildings, water, the environment and new energy. We’re one global team – 47,000 strong – driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world.

Here, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

We will give you the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

We will encourage you to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter where you sit in the organization you can make a lasting impact on the projects you work on, the teams and committees you join and our business.

We offer competitive pay and benefits, well-being programs to support you and your family, and the development resources you need to advance your career.

When you join us, you will connect and collaborate with a global network of experts – planners, designers, engineers, scientists, consultants, program and construction managers – leading the change toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Join us and let’s get started.

AECOM's Natural Resources team is involved in a number of transformational projects that will significantly shape Aotearoa. We are looking for a self-motivated Principal level Ecologist to join our national Natural Resources/Ecology team. The role is based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, where you will form part of the wider AECOM environment team.

Our Ōtautahi Christchurch teams work together on a variety of multi-disciplinary projects across the full range of project scale, from utility upgrades to remediation of contaminated sites and new wind farm developments, predominantly across Te Wai Pounamu.

Our Ōtautahi Christchurch office also provides a vibrant and flexible workspace with the opportunity to connect with a wide range of engineers, scientists, and project managers every day.

The role is best suited to someone who can work independently, thrives on challenges and a diverse workload. The role will involve assisting in the planning and delivery of high-quality freshwater/wetland and terrestrial surveys, monitoring and restoration programs, and technical advice to our clients. Critical to the applicant's success in the role will be their ability to plan, lead and conduct ecological field surveys, including the utilisation of innovative field techniques, collecting and analysing ecological data and preparing accurate, clear and concise reports in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Additionally, candidates must be adaptable and willing to diversify their skillsets by assisting the broader environmental team (air quality, contaminated land, environmental management) on an as-needs basis.

Some of your key responsibilities include:

• High quality writing skills, including drafting formal ecological reports, proposals, tender documents, and correspondence
• Leading and/or conducting field surveys
• Applying sampling strategies and employing a range of survey techniques
• Ability to travel to and undertake fieldwork with minimal support, potentially for extended periods of time
• Carry out ecological impact assessments (in line with EIANZ, 2018)
• Provide high-level scientific report writing, incorporating relevant policy and legislation requirements, ecological impact assessment, monitoring and issuing recommendations
• Keeping abreast of new policies and legislation relating to biodiversity
• Ability to manage projects (or components of) and budgets to meet time and resource requirements
• Develop and maintain positive relationship with clients (internal and external) to enhance client retention and growth
• Identify further opportunities with client and cross-sell AECOM services where appropriate

• 8+ years relevant professional experience
• Previous ecological consulting experience
• Demonstrated experience in ecological survey work
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Appropriate tertiary qualification (Environmental Science, Ecology, or similar)

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $13.1 billion in fiscal year 2022. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.