Ecologist or Senior Ecologist

Ecology Jobs; Bath; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent training

Benefits package

Job summary

Nicholas Pearson Associates, Bath, seeks an Ecologist to join our multi-disciplinary team. You will lead ecological surveys, contribute to reports and work with Landscape Architecture and Visualisation colleagues on projects across a range of sizes.

The role offers flexible hours, training opportunities and a blended working approach with office presence each week in our Bath office.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of wildlife legislation and best practise survey and mitigation guidance.
• Experience of carrying out protected species surveys, including bat surveys.
• Experience of working on protected species licences.
• Able to carry out baseline/ extended habitat surveys.
• Understanding of PEA and BNG workflows.
• A good communicator, keen to develop, work flexibility and collaborate with colleagues of a variety of disciplines.
• Good report writing skills (in UK English).
• Willingness to travel and some evening/night work.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct field surveys on straightforward sites including PEA and protected species surveys such as bat, badger, reptiles, great crested newt, hazel dormouse (licence dependent).
• Draft / contribute to high-quality ecological reports, developing skills in ecological assessment with support of experienced colleagues
• Support habitat surveys & mapping, Biodiversity Net Gain calculations and data analysis
• Assist in preparation of mitigation strategies and development license applications for Protected Species
• Assist in design of ecological enhancements, Biodiversity Net Gain proposals and production of habitat management plans
• Liaise effectively with colleagues across our Landscape Architecture and Visualisation teams
• Liaise effectively with clients, regulators, and stakeholders.

Skills

3+ years experience

Wildlife legislation

Bat surveys

Protected species surveys

Communication skills

Education

BSc/MSc in Ecology

Tools

QGIS

CSCS card

Job description

Overview

Nicholas Pearson Associates is an established and respected consultancy with complementary expertise in ecology, landscape architecture and visualisation. We take a collaborative approach to our work and we enjoy working on projects ranging from local and small scale to large, multi-phased schemes. We are part of the Global Ecology and Environment Group of companies, helping to grow a 'best-in-class' environmental consultancy with an increasingly broad remit. Our highly regarded ecologists provide the full spectrum of ecological services whilst maintaining excellent professional standards together with a high degree of scientific integrity. We have a wide variety of exciting and challenging projects and an established client base. We are seeking to appoint an ambitious and motivated Ecologist to join our existing team in our Bath office, or an Ecologist ready to step into a Senior level role. They will want, with guidance, to take on and run a range of projects of their own. They will also want to learn more about the profession and our multi-disciplinary consultancy whilst supporting more senior staff and working alongside our graduates. There will be opportunities for training and career development. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the environment and a curiosity about multi-disciplinary working and particularly collaborating closely with our in-house team of Landscape Architects.

Competitive Salary

£30,000-£42,000 dependant on experience + excellent training and benefits. Permanent position. (Part time role could be considered).

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct field surveys on straightforward sites including extended habitat surveys for Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA) and protected species surveys such as bat, badger, reptiles, great crested newt, hazel dormouse (skills/licence dependant)
• Draft / contribute to high-quality ecological reports, developing skills in ecological assessment with support of experienced colleagues
• Support habitat surveys & mapping, Biodiversity Net Gain calculations and data analysis
• Assist in preparation of mitigation strategies and development license applications for Protected Species
• Assist in design of ecological enhancements, Biodiversity Net Gain proposals and production of habitat management plans
• Liaise effectively with colleagues across our Landscape Architecture and Visualisation teams
• Liaise effectively with clients, regulators, and stakeholders.

We are looking for someone with

• BSc or MSc in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field
• 3+ years of relevant experience
• Knowledge of wildlife legislation, best practise survey and mitigation guidance
• Experience of carrying out protected species surveys, including bat surveys.
• Experience of working on protected species licences.
• Able to carry out baseline/ extended habitat surveys. Ideally at least FISC Level 3 or above, with solid habitat assessment knowledge
• Understanding of PEA and BNG workflows. Ideally able to carry out assessments with limited guidance at standard sites.
• A good communicator, keen to develop, work flexibility and collaborate with colleagues of a variety of disciplines.
• Good report writing skills (in UK English.)
• Willingness to work flexible hours during survey season. Some evening/night working will be required, and a flexible TOIL system is in place.
• Willingness to travel (from time to time) however we also benefit from having a good proportion of local work.
• CIEEM Associate (ACIEEM) or Full (MCIEEM) membership or working toward it
• Full UK driving license and own vehicle
• Experience of ecological watching briefs / Ecological Clerk of Works beneficial
• CSCS card is desirable
• GIS skills (QGIS) would be beneficial, but training will be provided

For a senior level position that person would also have experience in

• Carrying out a range of ecological survey and assessment independently, including Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
• Project management and client relationship management
• Experience of Habitats Regulations Assessment and/or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projects beneficial

Location

The position would be based at our Bath office. We have a blended working approach which allows some home working flexibility but requires office presence each week. Regular team meetings and site visits will be a requirement of the role. We keep a happy office environment in a beautiful rural location which is close to Bristol and Bath with free on-site car parking.

Employment package

Part-time/flexible working will be considered and could work well in this role. We offer in-house training so you can build up experience and skills. We offer competitive rates of pay (reflective of experience/skills, pro-rata for part-time). We reimburse business-related expenses including travel and subsistence. We pay for travel time to site and where agreed, we offer paid overtime and TOIL for rest and recovery. Laptop / IT support are provided and a work phone will be provided if required. Benefits for permanent staff are generous and include an established Pension Scheme, Healthcare and Insurance package, paid CPD opportunities (up to 5 days per year), payment of professional membership fees and support through Professional Training alongside regular in-house training. Packages for part-time roles would be pro-rata accordingly.

Closing date: 1400 on Wed 7th October 2026 but early applications are encouraged.