Seasonal Ecologist

Jacobs Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

• Join our passionate ecology team and make a real difference in protecting wildlife and habitats across the UK.
• As a Survey Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in collecting data that informs sustainable development and conservation efforts.
• From bats and birds to badgers and newts, your work will help safeguard species and ecosystems for future generations.
• This is your chance to turn your enthusiasm for nature into meaningful action.

• 💷 Competitive hourly rate
• 🏖️ Accrued holiday at a rate of 1.2 hours per 10 hours worked

We’re looking for seasonal survey assistants to support our experienced ecologists on a variety of projects. You’ll work alongside specialists in protected species and habitat surveys, gaining hands‑on experience in ecological surveying and data collection. If you already have experience to lead surveys we’d love to hear from you too!

• ☑️ Start Date – Onboarding from 27th April, work begins from 1st May
• ☑️ Locations – Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Newcastle, London, Manchester, Peterborough, Reading, Edinburgh, Glasgow
• ☑️ Field‑Based Role – Expect some early mornings, late evenings, and overnight stays (all travel and accommodation expenses covered and budget for subsistence provided)
• ☑️ Contract Type – Zero‑Hour Contract

• 0️⃣ Flexibility & Control – Choose when you work, ideal for balancing jobs with education, family, or other commitments.
• 0️⃣ Statutory Rights – You’re entitled to core rights like National Minimum/Living Wage, paid holiday, rest breaks, payslips, and protection from discrimination.
• 0️⃣ Opportunity & Experience – Great for building skills, gaining experience, and potentially moving into permanent roles.
• 0️⃣ Short Notice Protections – Recent changes protect workers from unfair deductions if shifts are cancelled last minute.

• Income and hours are variable, so earnings aren’t guaranteed.
• You’re usually classed as a ‘worker’, meaning some rights differ from full employees, but key protections remain.

• ✅ Enthusiasm for wildlife or ecology
• ✅ Organised and dependable
• ✅ Happy to work away from home
• ✅ Driving licence (please specify on your CV)
• ✅ Right to work in the UK

• ✅ Degree in ecology or related subject
• ✅ Previous experience in ecological surveys
• ✅ Eligibility for CIEEM membership

You’ll need flexibility for unsociable hours (bat surveys at night, bird surveys at dawn) and a proactive mindset to thrive in this dynamic role.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

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.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.