Senior Ecologist

Southern Water; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company as a Senior Ecologist to lead ecological risk management in critical infrastructure projects. Leverage your expertise to enhance the environment while ensuring compliance with regulations. This hybrid role involves both fieldwork and project management, offering a chance to make a significant impact on sustainability.

Benefits

Company and performance-related bonus

Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

25 days annual leave

Life assurance equal to 4x salary

Health Cash Plan

Full funded eye tests

Two paid volunteering days a year

Occupational health service

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in leading a team of ecologists and managing multiple projects.
• Proven background in delivering projects within the UK Water Industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecology surveys and assessments on various projects.
• Develop practical mitigation strategies for ecological risks.
• Support project teams in ensuring cost-effective ecology aspects.

Skills

Leadership

Risk Management

Technical Expertise

Education

Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree in Ecology

Job description

Closing Date
2025-05-26
Job Title: Senior Ecologist

Location: Falmer and Site Base - Hybrid Working

Salary: Up to £52,371 depending on skills and experience

Ready to Lead the Way in Ecological Risk Management? Join Us as a Senior Ecologist!

Are you a skilled ecologist with a passion for protecting nature and driving sustainability across a variety of exciting projects? If you thrive on challenges and want to play a key role in shaping the future of water, wastewater, and network infrastructure, we want YOU to join our dynamic Enabling Team!

Who We Are: We're an innovative team within ETS, and we're seeking a talented Senior Ecologist to help lead ecological risk management for projects from start to finish. This is your chance to apply your expertise in ecology and project delivery to shape and enhance the environment while driving sustainability across a range of critical infrastructure projects.

What You'll Do:

Lead Ecology Studies: You'll spearhead ecology surveys and assessments, working across small, medium, and large-scale projects. Your expertise will guide the team through every phase of project delivery-from design to construction.

Practical Solutions for Ecological Risks: You'll be at the heart of developing practical mitigation strategies to manage ecological risks and ensure compliance with environmental regulations, while also looking for opportunities to enhance the natural environment wherever possible.

Collaborate & Deliver: From financial management to liaising with stakeholders, you'll support the project team in ensuring ecology aspects are cost-effective and meet key objectives. You'll also be working closely with environmental regulators to get the "buy-in" that's essential to success.

Fieldwork & Project Management: This role involves a mix of fieldwork and office-based project management, including early morning, evening, and weekend work when required. You'll have the opportunity to travel across the UK to sites, working with a dedicated team to deliver high-impact projects.

Skills & Experience You Bring:

• Technical Expertise: A proven background in delivering projects within the UK Water Industry (or a comparable sector), including experience with a range of protected species surveys (bats, badgers, dormice, and more).
• Leadership: Experience in leading a team of ecologists and managing multiple projects to deliver on time, budget, and quality, all while ensuring the highest environmental standards.
• Risk Management & Compliance: A deep understanding of UK environmental legislation and the ability to manage corporate and financial risk.
• Qualifications: A relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree in ecology, environmental science, or a related field. Plus, you're either a Graduate or Associate Member of CIEEM (or working toward full membership).
• Practical Experience: Previous involvement in EPS Licence applications, and if you hold a surveyor's license for any European Protected Species (such as bats), even better!

What's in It for You:

• A Leadership Role: Take ownership of key tasks, shape strategies, and lead your team to success in a range of impactful projects.
• Career Development: Continuous professional development, training, and mentoring to help you grow and thrive in your career.
• Work-Life Balance: The chance to manage fieldwork and project delivery with a dynamic schedule, balancing site visits and office time.
• A Positive Impact: Lead ecological projects that make a real difference in preserving and enhancing the natural environment.

This role will be full time Monday to Friday 37 hours a week.

We are offering a salary of up to £52,371 per annum depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:

• Company and performance-related bonus

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

• 25 days annual leave

• Life assurance equal to 4x salary

• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)

• Health Cash Plan

• Full funded eye tests

• Two paid volunteering days a year

• Occupational health service

• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers

• Digital GP service

• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications

• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return-to-work options

• Cycle to work scheme

If you're a passionate Senior Ecologist looking for your next challenge and ready to make a tangible impact on both infrastructure and the environment, apply today to join our team. Let's shape the future of sustainability together!

#LI-Hybrid #LI-SC1