Associate Ecologist

Calibre Search; Ribble Valley; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Professional development

Mentoring opportunities

Competitive salary

Job summary

Calibre Search is seeking an Associate Ecologist to join its environmental team across Midlands, London or Glasgow. The role offers a varied portfolio, leadership on ecological projects and the opportunity to influence environmental outcomes within a leading multidisciplinary consultancy.

You’ll lead on major projects spanning infrastructure and development, mentor junior staff, win work through bids, and ensure compliance with UK wildlife legislation and best practice, with hybrid and flexible

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in professional ecological consultancy, able to lead projects.
• Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and policy.
• Experience with PEAs, EcIA, BNG assessments.
• Experience in protected species surveys and licensing.
• Strong project management, budget control, and QA.
• Experience developing client relationships and bids.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership.
• Botanical identification skills (FISC Level 3+ advantageous).
• Experience with NSIPs/DCO projects would be beneficial.
• Full, valid UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of complex ecological projects, managing programmes, budgets, resources and quality.
• Build relationships with clients and identify opportunities for new work.
• Prepare bids, tenders and proposals to support regional growth.
• Provide technical review of ecological reports and licensing applications.
• Oversee habitat surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain work.
• Develop practical approaches to ecological mitigation and habitat creation.
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines for integrated environmental solutions.
• Mentor and develop junior colleagues.
• Ensure deliverables meet legislation and best practice.

Skills

Project leadership

Client relationship management

Bid development

Ecological assessment

Protected species licensing

UK wildlife legislation

Chartered status path

BNG/habitat surveys

Education

Ecology degree

CIEEM Chartered Ecologist

Job description

Associate Ecologist

Locations: Midlands, London or Glasgow

Salary: £50,000-£65,000 DOE, with flexibility for exceptional candidates

Working pattern: Hybrid and flexible working available

Are you an experienced ecologist ready to take the next step in your career? Looking for a role where you can lead on exciting projects, influence environmental outcomes and help develop the next generation of ecological talent?

We're working with a leading multidisciplinary consultancy to recruit an Associate Ecologist to join its growing environmental team. This is an excellent opportunity for an established ecological professional to take on a varied portfolio of projects, strengthen client relationships and play a key role in the continued growth of a highly regarded ecology practice.

The opportunity

You'll be involved in a diverse range of projects spanning major infrastructure, development and nature recovery, working alongside specialists from across the environmental and engineering sectors.

Combining technical expertise with project leadership and business development, you'll help ensure ecological considerations are embedded into projects from the earliest stages through to delivery.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the delivery of complex ecological projects, managing programmes, budgets, resources and technical quality.
• Building strong relationships with clients, identifying opportunities to develop existing accounts and secure new work.
• Preparing and contributing to bids, tenders and proposals to support regional business growth.
• Providing technical review and guidance on ecological reports, assessments and protected species licensing applications.
• Overseeing and undertaking ecological assessments, habitat surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) work.
• Developing practical, innovative approaches to ecological mitigation, compensation and habitat creation.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple disciplines to deliver integrated environmental solutions.
• Supporting, mentoring and developing junior colleagues, helping to build technical capability within the team.
• Ensuring all deliverables meet relevant legislation, industry guidance and recognised best practice.

What we’re looking for

We're keen to speak with ecologists who combine strong technical knowledge with the confidence to lead projects, engage with clients and contribute to business development.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Substantial experience in professional ecological consultancy, with the ability to lead projects and advise on technical matters.
• A strong understanding of UK wildlife legislation, ecological policy and current industry guidance.
• Experience with UKHab surveys, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) and BNG assessments.
• Experience in protected species surveys, mitigation strategies and licensing.
• Strong project management skills, including financial control, quality assurance and delivery against deadlines.
• Experience developing client relationships, contributing to bids and identifying commercial opportunities.
• A relevant professional accreditation, such as CIEEM Chartered Ecologist, Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Environmentalist/Scientist status where applicable, or a commitment to working towards chartership.
• Strong botanical identification skills would be advantageous, particularly experience equivalent to FISC Level 3 or above.
• Experience supporting major infrastructure schemes, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, would be beneficial.
• A full, valid UK driving licence.

What's on offer?

You’ll be joining an established consultancy with access to a varied project portfolio, experienced technical colleagues and opportunities to develop your career.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary, reflective of your experience.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• A comprehensive benefits package with options to suit your lifestyle.
• Ongoing training, professional development and support with chartership.
• Opportunities to work on significant infrastructure, development and nature recovery projects.
• The chance to mentor colleagues, influence project delivery and contribute to the team's future growth.
• An inclusive working environment that values collaboration, wellbeing and different career pathways.