Senior/Principal Ecologist

Our client is seeking enthusiastic and passionate Senior and Principal Ecologists to join their dedicated team in Ashwell. Appointments at Consultant Ecologist level would also be considered.

As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with landscape, masterplanning, and archaeology/heritage colleagues, developing a broader understanding of planning and development to deliver great outcomes for both people and nature.

Clients include housebuilders, utility companies, conservation organisations, land promoters, landowners, and public bodies. 

They fundamentaly believe that their people are the key to success and they nurture an exciting, inclusive, and happy working environment. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Their variety of projects and clients provides a diverse and interesting range of work. You will have opportunities to be involved from the strategic planning phase of projects through to implementation. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating and delivering high-quality ecological work

• Developing junior team members

• Playing an important client-facing role

• Leading and/or coordinating protected species surveys

• Preparing and/or overseeing PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments, mitigation strategies, and more

About You

We are looking for friendly, highly motivated, and conscientious individuals who demonstrate a passion and enthusiasm for ecology.

Essential Requirements:

• A relevant ecology/biology degree (2:1 or above desirable)

• Protected species survey experience, including personal species survey licences

• Habitat survey experience (including UKHab) and sound botanical skills

• Strong working knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation

• Excellent written English and verbal communication skills

• Proficiency with MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and QGIS

• Hard-working and willing to take on new challenges

• Highly organised, able to multi-task, and a strong team player

• Forward-thinking, with a keen interest in the latest survey techniques, guidance, and innovations

• Willingness to undertake a reasonable share of night-time surveys (typically one or two per week during the main survey season), including occasional overnight stays (accommodation and subsistence paid)

• Full, clean UK driving licence, with own car insured for business use

• Membership of CIEEM (ACIEEM or above)

Desirable Skills:

• Strong technical specialism (e.g., bat, ornithological or botanical skills)

• A Level 2 bat licence

• FISC level 3 or above

What is on Offer

Our client values a healthy work-life balance and offers a supportive, friendly, and attractive workplace. In addition, the exciting benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary

• Permanent, full-time contract

• Hybrid working (up to 2 days per week from home)

• Flexible working around core hours

• Annual profit-related and performance-based bonus scheme

• Overtime pay for out-of-hours survey work

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with length of service

• Company pension contribution (increasing with length of service)

• Annual staff trip and funded team social events

• Annual Company and Ecology Team Days with internal and external speakers

• Mobile phone allowance

• Commitment to continued professional development, with a generous training allowance

• Paid subscription to CIEEM/protected species licence fees

• Employee wellbeing support, including access to an Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first-aiders

If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and further your career in ecology, we encourage you to apply today and join our client in delivering sustainable and effective environmental solutions.