Senior Ecologist

Overview

Are you an Ecologist and looking for an opportunity to step up and take on more responsibility? Do you enjoy leading surveys and mentoring junior colleagues? Are you looking for variety with a balance of field and office-based work, and ready to progress your career by managing your own projects?

We’re looking for a Senior Ecologist to join our Terrestrial Ecology team based in/around the South East. This is a hybrid role, with around 50% of your time spent in the field, leading protected species and habitat surveys across the South & South East with the rest of your time desk based either working from home or a local office. You’ll also contribute to tenders, reporting, and client liaison.

In this role, you’ll combine technical expertise with consultancy delivery. You’ll manage your own small and medium-scale projects, support complex ecological assessments (PEA, EcIA, ES chapters), and play a key role in maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships. You’ll also mentor junior staff, helping to develop the next generation of ecologists. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced ecologist who enjoys both technical delivery and leadership, with a clear pathway to Principal Ecologist.

• Full or Associate membership of CIEEM (or to have eligibility if not currently held).
• Degree or postgraduate degree in relevant subject, with a strong academic record.
• Botanical s including experience of UK Hab and condition assessments and/or Phase 1 Habitat surveys.
• Experience of writing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments and protected species survey reports.
• Experience of leading protected species surveys (e.g. dormice, bats, GCN, otter, water vole, birds etc.).
• Have a proven work winning track record, experience of preparing bids and tenders.
• Up to date overview of EU and UK legislation pertaining to ecology and environmental issues and planning policy.
• At least one protected species survey licence in England and / or Wales (alternatively an experienced botanist FISC level 4 or above).
• A full UK driving licence and ability to travel with some requirement for over-night stays.

You will be offered the chance to work on a variety of projects, many of our employees have worked on projects that have been of personal interest to them. We match this with a commitment to continuous development and learning to support your career. We also offer benefits to look after you, from private medical insurance for all employees, access to mental health first aiders and comprehensive income protection if you cannot work.

We also offer superb flexible working options, balancing work with your life.

We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can’t tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills.