Ornithologist

Ornithologist

Shape Environmental Outcomes Across the UK and Ireland

Tetra Tech is seeking to appoint an Ornithologist to join our Planning & Environmental team. Based in our Belfast office, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of ecological, environmental and planning projects across the UK and Ireland.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As an Ornithologist, you will provide technical ornithological support across a diverse portfolio of projects throughout the UK and Ireland. You will be responsible for designing, coordinating and undertaking wintering, breeding and migratory bird surveys, collecting and interpreting field data, and contributing to environmental assessments that support planning applications, marine licensing processes and wider environmental approvals.

You will work closely with ecologists, planners, environmental specialists and engineers to ensure that ornithological considerations are effectively integrated into project design and delivery. Your role will involve a combination of fieldwork, data analysis, report writing and client engagement, providing varied and rewarding experience across multiple sectors and environments.

You will contribute to project delivery from inception through to completion, supporting senior colleagues in providing practical, evidence-based advice to clients while helping to identify opportunities to protect and enhance bird populations and habitats.

Your Impact in this Position

Your work will directly influence how development projects consider and address potential impacts on bird species and their habitats. Through robust survey design, accurate data collection and high-quality reporting, you will help clients understand environmental constraints, navigate regulatory requirements and deliver positive ecological outcomes.

By applying your technical expertise and attention to detail, you will contribute to sustainable development, supporting informed decision-making and helping to protect biodiversity across a wide range of landscapes and development sectors.

As your experience develops, you will have opportunities to expand your technical specialisms, contribute to innovative approaches within the ornithology and ecology teams, and play an increasingly important role in delivering complex environmental projects.

Your Toolkit for Success at Tetra Tech

Ornithological Expertise & Survey Capability

• You will have experience designing and undertaking wintering, passage and breeding bird surveys across a range of habitats and development sectors. You will possess strong bird identification skills, including the ability to identify species by sight and sound, and be confident collecting, managing and interpreting ornithological data. Your understanding of survey methodologies, data quality requirements and ecological assessment processes will enable you to deliver reliable and robust technical outputs.

Technical Assessment & Reporting

• You will be capable of producing clear, well-structured and evidence-based technical reports to support planning and environmental assessment processes. You will be confident analysing survey findings, evaluating potential project impacts and presenting recommendations in a manner that is proportionate, defensible and easily understood by both technical and non-technical audiences. Your attention to detail and commitment to quality will ensure consistently high standards across your work.

Project Delivery & Client Engagement

• You will be organised, proactive and capable of managing multiple priorities within a dynamic consultancy environment. You will support the delivery of projects to agreed programmes and budgets while maintaining strong relationships with clients, regulators and project teams. Your communication skills will enable you to build credibility, explain technical matters clearly and contribute positively to project outcomes.

Collaboration & Professional Development

• You will enjoy working within multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with colleagues across Planning & Environmental services and the wider business. You will contribute to knowledge sharing, support junior team members where appropriate and actively seek opportunities to enhance your own technical capability. An enthusiasm for ornithology, environmental stewardship and continual learning will be central to your success in the role.

Regulatory Awareness & Environmental Governance

• You will bring a sound understanding of UK and/or Irish environmental legislation, policy and guidance relating to birds, habitats and environmental assessment. You will understand how ornithological considerations influence planning and development decisions and be able to support the delivery of practical mitigation, enhancement and monitoring solutions. Your knowledge will help ensure that projects achieve compliance while supporting positive biodiversity outcomes.

Mandatory Requirements

You will hold a degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Ornithology or a related discipline and possess relevant consultancy or professional experience in ornithology. Membership of CIEEM, or eligibility to become a member, would be advantageous.

You will have experience undertaking multi-season bird surveys and preparing ornithological reports to support development projects. Additional ecological survey skills would be beneficial but are not essential.

You will hold a full current driving licence and have access to transport to enable travel to survey sites across the UK and Ireland. You will demonstrate excellent communication, presentation and report writing skills, combined with the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Work Patterns and Locations

The position is based in a large, permanently desked office located on the edge of the city with on site parking, strong public transport connections and easy access to major road networks. The role supports hybrid working, with an expectation of two to three days per week in the office to facilitate mentoring, collaboration and team coordination. Flexible working arrangements can be accommodated where project responsibilities allow. The multidisciplinary environment provides exposure to a wide range of significant projects, including marine, coastal, regeneration and renewable related developments.