Consultant Ecologist/ Senior Ecologist

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

Job summary

A leading multidisciplinary consultancy in the UK is seeking Consultant and Senior Ecologists to join their Nature and Biodiversity team. Candidates will work on ecological strategies, focusing on biodiversity services. Essential qualifications include a degree in ecology and relevant professional experience. The consultancy offers opportunities for growth in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology or a related environmental discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years’ professional experience in the ecological sector.
• Qualifying or eligible for membership of CIEEM (working towards Associate level).
• Knowledge of UK ecology, legislation, and the planning system.

Responsibilities

• Supporting and managing ecological projects across various sectors.
• Planning and conducting ecological surveys and producing assessments.
• Providing input into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
• Advising on ecological constraints and enhancement opportunities.

Job description

Job Description

About the Company

Our Client is a leading multidisciplinary consultancy with a wide range of clients across the UK. They are committed to delivering sustainable, innovative, and high-quality solutions that add value and enhance the built and natural environment.

With 14 offices nationwide, the business thrives on collaboration, professional growth, and innovation. A newly formed in-house Nature and Biodiversity team plays a critical role in helping clients meet ambitious biodiversity and sustainability goals, making this an exciting time to join a growing and forward-thinking team.

About the Role

This is an excellent opportunity for both Consultant Ecologists and Senior Ecologists to join the Nature and Biodiversity team and help design and deliver ecological strategies across a diverse range of projects, with a particular focus on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting and managing ecological projects across infrastructure, residential, commercial, renewable energy, and other sectors.
• Planning and conducting ecological surveys and producing high-quality reports and assessments (e.g., PEA, UKHab, protected species, EcIA, BNG metrics, HMMPs, LEMPs).
• Providing ecological input into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and planning applications.
• Advising on ecological constraints, mitigation, and enhancement opportunities.
• Designing and implementing bespoke BNG strategies, including on-site green infrastructure and off-site solutions, and producing assessments using the Statutory Defra Metric.
• Liaising with statutory bodies and internal teams to integrate biodiversity into planning and masterplanning.
• Ensuring compliance with wildlife legislation and planning policy.
• Supporting client relationships, proposals, tenders, project planning, and risk assessments.
• (Senior Ecologist) Leading projects, managing client relationships, and mentoring junior team members.

• About You

  We are looking for ambitious ecologists with strong technical backgrounds and excellent communication skills, ready to contribute to a multidisciplinary team.

  Essential Requirements – Consultant Ecologist:

  • Degree in ecology or a related environmental discipline.
  • Minimum of 2 years’ professional experience in the ecological sector.
  • Qualifying or eligible for membership of CIEEM (working towards Associate level).
  • Knowledge of UK ecology, legislation, and the planning system.
  • Experience with Biodiversity Net Gain and the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
  • Working towards protected species licences (e.g., bats, great crested newts, dormice).

  Additional Requirements – Senior Ecologist:

  • Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in the ecological sector.
  • Associate Membership of CIEEM (working towards Full Membership).
  • Demonstrable experience delivering and managing ecological projects.
  • Good project management skills and client-facing experience.
  • Protected species licences (e.g., bats, great crested newts, dormice).
  • Experience designing habitat creation/enhancement schemes and developing offsite BNG solutions (desirable).

  Interested? Apply now to join a passionate and growing team shaping sustainable places and delivering biodiversity solutions across the UK!