Senior Ecologist - BAM Accredited Consultant

Environmental Services & Education Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free swimming pool access

Dedicated Friday learning periods

Job summary

Environmental Services & Education Australia (ESEA) is seeking a BAM Accredited Ecologist to join our growing team in Pyrmont, Sydney. You will deliver ecological assessments across NSW, balancing fieldwork with technical reporting and client engagement.

The role offers opportunities to lead projects from initial assessment to final approval, contribute to internal methodologies, and mentor junior staff in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• BAM Accredited Ecologist with current NSW BAM assessor status.
• Relevant tertiary degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or Biology.
• Experience preparing BDARs and applying BAM methods.
• Strong botanical identification and knowledge of NSW vegetation communities, PCTs and threatened communities.
• Proficiency with BAM-C and understanding NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage BDARs per NSW BAM guidelines.
• Conduct BAM vegetation integrity plots, floristic surveys and vegetation classification.
• Carry out threatened flora/fauna surveys and habitat assessments.
• Prepare Flora and Fauna Impact Assessments and other reports.
• Provide practical ecological advice to clients and authorities.
• Manage projects, field surveys and client liaison.

Skills

BAM Accredited Ecologist

Biodiversity assessments

Project management

Field surveys

Technical report writing

Education

Ecology / Environmental Science / Biology degree

Tools

BAM-C (BAM Calculator)

QGIS

Job description

Senior Ecologist - BAM Accredited Consultant

Environmental Services & Education Australia (ESEA)

Location: Pyrmont, Sydney NSW

Employment: Full-time, Permanent

Join a rapidly growing environmental consultancy and help shape its future.

Environmental Services & Education Australia (ESEA) is seeking a motivated and experienced BAM Accredited Ecologist to join our small, enthusiastic and rapidly growing team based in Pyrmont, Sydney.

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a young and ambitious business during a significant period of growth. Unlike joining a large, established consultancy, this position offers the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the direction, development and success of the company, while working on diverse and high-profile projects throughout NSW.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about ecology, takes pride in producing high-quality work, and wants to build a long-term career within a supportive and progressive team.

About ESEA

Established in 2024, Environmental Services & Education Australia is an independent environmental consultancy specialising in ecological assessments, arboriculture, biodiversity planning, and conservation.

Since its establishment, ESEA has experienced rapid growth, building strong relationships with leading Tier 1 and Tier 2 developers, local councils, government agencies and infrastructure providers.

Our team works across a diverse portfolio of projects, including major residential and commercial developments, infrastructure projects, biodiversity assessments, ecological restoration and conservation initiatives.

We embrace modern technology, innovative survey techniques and efficient reporting methodologies to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of our work.

We are still in the early stages of our company's journey, and we want our next team member to be part of building something exceptional. At ESEA, you won't simply be another employee in a large organisation. You'll have a voice in how the company operates, opportunities to introduce new ideas and systems, and the ability to influence our future growth and development.

About the Role

As a BAM Accredited Ecologist, you will play an important role in delivering ecological assessments and environmental consulting services across NSW.

The position offers a rewarding balance of fieldwork, technical reporting, project management and client engagement, with opportunities to lead projects from initial assessment through to final approval.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing and managing Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDARs) in accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM).
• Undertaking BAM vegetation integrity plots, floristic surveys, vegetation community classification and Plant Community Type (PCT) identification.
• Conducting threatened flora and fauna surveys, habitat assessments and targeted species investigations.
• Preparing Flora and Fauna Impact Assessments, Reviews of Environmental Factors, Vegetation Management Plans and other ecological reports.
• Applying the BAM Calculator (BAM-C), undertaking biodiversity credit calculations and preparing supporting technical documentation.
• Assessing biodiversity constraints, threatened ecological communities and potential impacts under relevant NSW and Commonwealth environmental legislation.
• Providing practical ecological advice to clients, developers, councils and project teams.
• Managing projects, coordinating field surveys and liaising with clients and regulatory authorities.
• Reviewing technical reports and contributing to ESEA's quality assurance processes.
• Contributing to the development of internal methodologies, technical resources and business improvement initiatives.

You will have the opportunity to work across a wide variety of environments, projects and ecological disciplines, rather than being restricted to one narrow area of consulting.

About You

We are seeking an ecologist who combines strong technical expertise with enthusiasm and a personable personality.

• Current accreditation as a Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) Assessor in NSW.
• A tertiary qualification in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience preparing BDARs and applying the BAM.
• Strong botanical identification skills, including familiarity with NSW vegetation communities, PCTs and threatened ecological communities.
• Experience conducting BAM vegetation integrity assessments and threatened species habitat assessments.
• Proficiency in BAM-C and an understanding of the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme.
• Excellent technical report-writing, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to independently manage workloads, meet project deadlines and maintain high technical standards.
• A current driver's licence and willingness to undertake fieldwork and travel throughout NSW.

Highly regarded skills and experience:

• Experience managing complex or large-scale biodiversity assessments.
• Strong fauna survey and threatened species identification skills.
• Experience using QGIS or other GIS software.
• Familiarity with NSW planning legislation, biodiversity certification and environmental approval pathways.
• Experience consulting directly with developers, local councils or government agencies.
• Ability to mentor non-accredited ecologists and contribute to technical development within a growing team.

Above all, we value people who bring enthusiasm, strong communication skills, practical problem-solving skills and a willingness to contribute to the continued success of ESEA.

Why Join ESEA?

We recognise that a rewarding career is about more than the work itself. We are committed to creating a workplace where our staff can develop professionally, enjoy their working environment and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

What we offer:

Be part of a growing business

Join ESEA during its early growth phase and have a genuine opportunity to influence the company's direction, culture and development. As the business expands, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibilities, leadership roles and specialist areas of expertise.

Work on exciting, high-profile projects

Gain exposure to a diverse range of projects involving Tier 1 and Tier 2 developers, councils, government agencies and major infrastructure works throughout NSW.

Free swimming pool access and a focus on fitness

Our Pyrmont office offers free access to swimming pool facilities. We also support extended lunchtime periods for personal fitness, allowing staff to incorporate gym sessions, swimming and exercise into their working day.

A small, young and enthusiastic team

Work alongside a close-knit group of passionate environmental professionals who enjoy collaborating, sharing knowledge and supporting one another. We value individual contributions and maintain a friendly, approachable working environment.

Dedicated Friday afternoon learning periods

Professional development is an important part of ESEA's culture. We allocate time on Friday afternoons for learning, technical development, knowledge sharing and exploring new ideas, helping our team continually expand their capabilities.

We actively encourage continued education, specialist training, accreditation development and professional growth. We want our staff to continue becoming better ecologists throughout their careers.

Modern technologies and innovative approaches

Be part of a consultancy that embraces new technology, advanced ecological survey techniques, GIS and efficient digital workflows to improve environmental outcomes.

Variety, independence and responsibility

Enjoy the freedom to take ownership of projects, contribute ideas and work across a broad range of ecological disciplines, while having access to support and collaboration when needed.

A career with real progression

As ESEA continues to expand, we want our team members to grow with us. This position offers the opportunity to develop into senior technical, project management or leadership responsibilities as the company evolves.

Our Culture

At ESEA, we believe high-quality environmental consulting and an enjoyable workplace should go hand in hand. We work hard, take pride in delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and maintain high professional standards. However, we also recognise the importance of health, fitness, ongoing learning and enjoying the people you work with.

We are building a company where staff feel valued, ideas are welcomed, professional development is encouraged and individual achievements contribute directly to the success of the wider team.

We are looking for someone who shares this mindset and is excited about helping us build the future of ESEA.