Ecologist

Southern Ecological Solutions (SES); West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday Leave

Life Assurance

Pension Contributions

Generous Holiday Allowance

Private Medical Insurance

Flexible Benefits Programme

Job summary

Southern Ecological Solutions, a Midlands-based consultancy within the RSK Group, is seeking a Consultant Ecologist or senior Assistant level ecologist for a full-time, hybrid role. You will conduct field surveys, prepare preliminary ecological appraisals, and manage multiple projects with support from senior staff.

You will oversee surveys, coordinate timelines, and engage with the ecology team to uphold SES standards and reputation.

Qualifications

• Relevant Degree: Hold a degree in ecology or a related field, or possess significant experience within a professional ecological consultancy.
• Proven Experience: Demonstrate a successful track record in project management, conducting surveys, and supporting team members in a professional consultancy setting.
• Ecological Knowledge: Have a solid understanding of ecology, legislation, and survey techniques, including the ability to conduct protected species surveys and develop mitigation strategies.
• Botanical Skills: Possess strong botanical survey identification skills, allowing you to accurately assess and record plant species.
• Planning Policy Familiarity: Understand the application of relevant protected species planning policies, such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Plans, in relation to development projects.
• Licensing Processes: Be knowledgeable about current protected species mitigation licensing processes and their application in ecological consultancy.
• Project Experience: Have experience in ecological assessments and surveys for various development projects, including or similar to housing, commercial, transportation, and power sectors.

Responsibilities

• Field Surveys: Conduct a variety of field surveys, managing your schedule efficiently to meet project deadlines.
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals: Perform appraisals in accordance with published guidelines, receiving support from senior team members for standard and complex sites.
• Project Management: Oversee a range of projects, from small-scale developments and single-species mitigation to more complex projects, with guidance from experienced colleagues.
• Survey Coordination: Take ownership of coordinating ecological surveys, ensuring timely delivery and accurate results for your projects.
• Project Milestones: Provide clear and timely management of project milestones, key dates, and on-site survey timetables across multifaceted projects.
• Team Engagement: Actively engage with the ecology team and the broader SES team, promoting our business and maintaining high standards of company reputation and performance.

Skills

Field surveys

Project management

Ecological knowledge

Botanical survey skills

Protected species surveys

Mitigation planning

Planning policy familiarity

Education

Degree in ecology or related field

Job description

Ecologist

Join Our Growing Team as a Consultant Ecologist at Southern Ecological Solutions. Are you an enthusiastic ecologist eager to make a real impact?

Southern Ecological Solutions, a vibrant and forward-thinking member of the RSK Group, is looking for ambitious Consultant Ecologists or Good Assistant level ecologists ready to take the next step in their career and join our thriving team. This full-time, permanent position offers a hybrid working model, perfect for those within commuting distance to our Midlands office. Be part of our journey as we continue to lead the way in ecological consultancy and make measurable impact in your community!

Your Role

• Field Surveys: Conduct a variety of field surveys, managing your schedule efficiently to meet project deadlines.
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals: Perform appraisals in accordance with published guidelines, receiving support from senior team members for standard and complex sites.
• Project Management: Oversee a range of projects, from small-scale developments and single-species mitigation to more complex projects, with guidance from experienced colleagues.
• Survey Coordination: Take ownership of coordinating ecological surveys, ensuring timely delivery and accurate results for your projects.
• Project Milestones: Provide clear and timely management of project milestones, key dates, and on-site survey timetables across multifaceted projects.
• Team Engagement: Actively engage with the ecology team and the broader SES team, promoting our business and maintaining high standards of company reputation and performance.

What We’re Looking For

• Relevant Degree: Hold a degree in ecology or a related field, or possess significant experience within a professional ecological consultancy.
• Proven Experience: Demonstrate a successful track record in project management, conducting surveys, and supporting team members in a professional consultancy setting.
• Ecological Knowledge: Have a solid understanding of ecology, legislation, and survey techniques, including the ability to conduct protected species surveys and develop mitigation strategies.
• Botanical Skills: Possess strong botanical survey identification skills, allowing you to accurately assess and record plant species.
• Planning Policy Familiarity: Understand the application of relevant protected species planning policies, such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Plans, in relation to development projects.
• Licensing Processes: Be knowledgeable about current protected species mitigation licensing processes and their application in ecological consultancy.
• Project Experience: Have experience in ecological assessments and surveys for various development projects, including or similar to housing, commercial, transportation, and power sectors.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: Earn between £28,000 - £38,000 based on experience and qualifications.
• Birthday Leave: Enjoy a day off to celebrate your birthday.
• Life Assurance: Benefit from our life assurance plan to provide peace of mind.
• Pension Contributions: Receive contributions to your pension plan to support your future.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: Start with 20 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 28 days.
• Private Medical Insurance: Access private medical insurance to take care of your health.
• Flexible Benefits Programme: Tailor your benefits with options to buy additional holidays, health cash plans, and discounted gym memberships, allowing you to choose what suits you best.

About Us

We are a multi-disciplinary consultancy specialising in ecology, habitat management, arboriculture, and landscape design, based in Essex, UK. Since our company’s founding, we have grown to become a leading UK provider of specialist ecological, arboricultural and landscape design consulting services. We are known for devising sustainable, pragmatic, and client-focused solutions. Our diverse portfolio includes clients in the fields of infrastructure, development, conservation charities and individual bespoke projects. Our business is continuing to expand into new markets, and we are forming new teams to meet future challenges.

SES has a team of 52 qualified ecologists, landscape architects, arboriculturists and coordination and support staff. Currently, we’re working with Barratt Homes and the RSPB on a large residential housing development, Kingsbrook, a case study in the biodiversity net gain best practice principles for development. Our ecological work includes due diligence reporting, land appraisals, habitat design and creation, protected species surveys and ecological impact assessments. Landscape design and planning services teams specialise in strategic projects, combining an innovative and context-led approach to design.

SES is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to confidently explore and pursue our career opportunities and recognise that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office-based positions benefit from a flexible working arrangement, allowing our team members to achieve a balance between professional and personal commitments.

We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities.

RSK Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer

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