Senior Ecologist in Newcastle

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Are you looking to work in a collaborative and supportive team, where you can work on large ecological projects across several industry sectors? Are you looking for an ecology role where you work with engineers, planners and other partners at early design phase to avoid and minimise ecological impacts? Are you looking for a company that provides flexibility and career opportunities? If you are, this could be the role for you.

The Jacobs team deliver complex and technically challenging local and national projects for public and private clients involved in a wide range of infrastructure and development activities, including public utilities, renewable energy, resource projects, transport infrastructure, and large-scale environmental management and monitoring programs.

We are seeking to appoint a high-performing, mid-level ecologist. Based out of our Sydney office, the person will:

• Contribute to complex and high-profile biodiversity assessment and approval projects, providing strategic direction from project inception through to delivery.
• Influence project outcomes by identifying risks and opportunities early and developing practical, science-based solutions for clients.
• Drive business growth through client engagement, proposal development, and identification of new opportunities across public and private sector markets.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate ecological considerations into broader environmental, planning and infrastructure projects.
• Represent Jacobs in discussions with clients, regulators, and key stakeholders, strengthening our reputation as a leader in ecological consulting.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Undertaking and leading flora, fauna and habitat assessments, including desktop assessment, field survey and reporting, in line with EPBC Act and BC Act requirements.
• Contributing to and leading project opportunities, including writing proposals, by building strong relationships with clients and internally across the diverse disciplines within Jacobs.
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring to junior team members.
• Actively contributing to a high performing NSW ecology team that sits within a broader national ecological section.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Qualification:

Degree in a relevant science discipline (e.g. ecology, environmental science, natural resource management).

Essential Skills And Experience:

• 5+ years experience in the delivery of ecology projects in NSW.
• Sound knowledge and identification skills for the NSW flora.
• Sound knowledge of state and Commonwealth legislation (EPBC Act, BC Act).
• Willingness to undertake travel for fieldwork, including some extended trips (negotiable).
• Sound report writing skills and demonstrated experience in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Solid communication, organisational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Current driver’s license.
• 4WD training and experience, or willingness to complete training.

Desirable competencies:

• Awareness and understanding of the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM).
• GIS skills and experience including use of ESRi ArcGIS Pro and Field Maps for data collection and analysis.
• Working knowledge of new technologies in field survey and analysis.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximise your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of diverse perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation.

Cultural Support: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are invited to nominate a cultural representative to participate on the interview panel; please let your recruiter know in your application.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.