Consultant Ecologist

APEM; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

APEM is seeking a Consultant Ecologist to join their Terrestrial Ecology team in Edinburgh. This hybrid role involves leading ecological surveys, managing projects, and contributing to ecological reports while ensuring compliance with UK environmental legislation. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and experience with protected species work, alongside strong organisational and communication skills. APEM values diversity and offers flexible working arrangements to support career growth.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Mental health support

Income protection

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience with Phase 1 or UKHab surveys and protected species work.
• Qualifying or Associate Membership of CIEEM (or eligibility).
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead terrestrial ecology fieldwork and manage projects.
• Write ecological reports and liaise with clients.
• Perform Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties.

Skills

Organisational skills

Project management

Report writing

Communication

Understanding of UK environmental legislation

Education

Relevant degree in ecology or related field

Tools

QGIS

ArcGIS

Job description

About The Role

Are you an experienced ecologist ready to advance your consultancy career? Do you enjoy leading surveys, managing small projects, and influencing how developments interact with wildlife and habitats? Are you seeking a varied, flexible role within a supportive team where your skills can develop further?

We are looking for a Consultant Ecologist to join our friendly Terrestrial Ecology team, covering work in the Central Belt of Scotland from West Glasgow to Edinburgh. This hybrid role involves time split between home, site, and office, with travel across the region and occasional work in Wales or England.

In this role, you'll lead terrestrial ecology fieldwork—ranging from Preliminary Ecological Appraisals to protected species surveys—and manage your own projects. Responsibilities include writing ecological reports, liaising with clients, contributing to tenders, and performing Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties. Supported by APEM's cross-sector expertise, you'll build a well-rounded and impactful career in ecology.

To be successful, you'll need:

• A relevant degree (or higher) in ecology or a related field
• Qualifying or Associate Membership of CIEEM (or eligibility)
• Experience with Phase 1 or UKHab surveys and protected species work (bats, GCN, dormice, birds, etc.)
• Understanding of UK environmental and wildlife legislation
• Strong organisational skills and project management abilities
• Excellent report writing and communication skills
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel, including overnight stays

Desirable, but not essential:

• Protected species licences
• Botanical ID skills or NVC experience
• GIS proficiency (QGIS/ArcGIS)
• Experience with bat analysis tools (e.g., Kaleidoscope, Bat Explorer)
• Experience with client-facing tasks and ECoW duties

We offer opportunities to work on diverse projects, many of which align with employees' personal interests. We are committed to continuous development and learning to support your career growth. Benefits include private medical insurance, mental health support, income protection, and flexible working arrangements to balance work and life.

Next steps

We value diversity and inclusion. If you don't meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply—support can be provided for part-time work or gaining experience in specific areas. As a growing company, we are willing to adapt roles to match individual skills.

If you're interested in joining our expanding team, please apply via our website with your CV. We review applications promptly and will respond to all applicants.

About Us

The APEM Group is a global environmental consultancy working with clients including large corporations and governments to address environmental challenges worldwide. Our pioneering work has fostered growth and collaboration with like-minded organizations. Our core mission is to protect the environment globally.