Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Job Overview

Bennett and Game are pleased to be representing a well-established Chartered Town Planning practice seeking a Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead to join their growing team in the Cotswolds.

The practice provides a multidisciplinary service across planning, architectural design and development consultancy, supporting a varied client base with residential, commercial and rural planning applications. Due to a consistent demand for ecological services, the company is now looking to establish an in-house ecology capability.

The successful candidate will become the practice's lead ecological professional, completing work associated with the company's own planning applications while also delivering consultancy services directly to external clients.

This represents an excellent opportunity for an experienced Ecologist who is confident working independently and would like the autonomy to develop an ecology service within a supportive, close-knit consultancy.

The company currently employs approximately eight members of staff, including an in-house design team. As the first dedicated Ecologist within the business, the successful candidate will work closely with planners, designers, clients and external stakeholders to provide practical ecological advice from the earliest stages of a project.

The role would particularly suit an experienced Senior Ecologist who enjoys taking ownership of projects and wants to work within a smaller business where their contribution will have a visible impact. Unlike larger consultancies, the successful individual will have direct access to decision-makers, greater control over their workload and the opportunity to influence how the ecology function develops.

The office is situated at the foot of Cleeve Hill within the Cotswolds National Landscape, providing an attractive working environment for an ecological professional. Hybrid working of up to two days per week can also be offered to an individual who demonstrates the right attitude and ability to manage their workload independently.

Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead

Job Responsibilities

Deliver ecological assessments and surveys associated with planning applications
Undertake Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and prepare supporting reports
Complete protected species surveys including bat surveys
Support work involving great crested newts and other protected species
Provide ecological advice to the company's planners, designers and clients
Identify ecological constraints and provide practical mitigation recommendations
Prepare clear, accurate and commercially appropriate ecological reports
Manage ecology projects from initial instruction through to completion
Liaise directly with clients, planning authorities and relevant stakeholders
Undertake ecological work for both internal planning projects and external consultancy clients
Manage survey programmes and ensure work is completed within seasonal constraints
Assist with developing the company's ecology service and improving internal processes
Maintain awareness of changes to ecological legislation, planning policy and industry guidance
Work collaboratively with the wider planning and design team
Manage a varied workload of predominantly smaller-scale ecology commissions

Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead

Job Requirements

Previous professional experience working within ecological consultancy
Ability to independently undertake ecological surveys and prepare reports
Strong experience completing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals
Experience undertaking bat surveys and protected species work
Good understanding of ecology in relation to planning applications
Knowledge of relevant UK wildlife legislation and planning policy
Strong written communication and technical report-writing skills
Ability to manage projects and communicate directly with clients
Relevant degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or a related discipline
Membership of CIEEM or another appropriate professional body would be advantageous
Protected species survey licences would be highly advantageous

Experience with Biodiversity Net Gain assessments would be beneficial
Full UK driving licence and…