Associate Ecologist

Origin Environmental; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Paid professional memberships

25 days holiday

Job summary

Origin Environmental is searching for a Principal Ecologist/Team Leader in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. This role involves leading ecological surveys, managing report production, and liaising with clients to contribute to sustainable land use.

The ideal candidate will hold a degree in Ecology and have significant experience in ecological legislation and report writing. The position offers a supportive package, including hybrid working, extensive training opportunities, and a focus on inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Experience leading ecology for planning applications across various sectors.
• CIEEM accreditation is preferred.
• Willingness to travel across Northern Ireland and ROI.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ecological surveys including habitat and species surveys.
• Produce comprehensive ecological reports and management plans.
• Manage survey delivery across projects and liaise with clients.

Skills

Ecological legislation knowledge

Report writing skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Team leadership

Ecological surveys

Education

Degree in Ecology

Job description

Principal Ecologist/Team Leader

At Origin Enterprises, we are dedicated to championing sustainable land use, and our Environmental teams support a diverse range of clients and projects—from land management and development to restoration and conservation.

Joining us means becoming part of a collaborative, purpose driven community where this collective expertise enables us to deliver high quality, fully integrated solutions and contribute to meaningful environmental outcomes across the UK and Ireland.

About Neo

Neo Environmental is a multidisciplinary consultancy that provides market leading, cost-effective planning, environmental and technical solutions to clients working in the energy, residential, retail, utilities, mixed‑use, aggregates and infrastructure sectors across the UK and Ireland.

We work closely with our clients throughout the duration of projects to ensure that we have a thorough understanding of their requirements and to achieve optimum designs.

Our team consists of experienced and accredited planners, engineers and multi‑disciplinary environmental consultants, ensuring we provide a full suite of in‑house collaborative services for projects.

We have an enviable track record for successfully consenting projects, whether small or complex, through our comprehensive understanding of planning requirements, particularly in the renewable energy industry.

The role will include:

• Undertaking Ecological Surveys including:
  • Phase 1/ Fossitt habitat surveys and NVC/IVCs
  • Protected species surveys
  • Bat surveys
  • Bird surveys
• Producing Comprehensive reports including:
  • Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA)
  • Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA)
  • EIA chapters
  • Biodiversity Management Plans
  • Protected Species Survey Reports and Management Plans
  • Appropriate Assessment/Natural Impact Statements
• Managing survey timetables, capacity and delivery across multiple projects to ensure compliance with relevant survey guidance
• Liasing with clients and statutory consultees
• Attending client and site meetings
• Line management and team leadership for the Ecology team

Key Requirements:

• Degree in Ecology or similar
• Good knowledge of ecological legislation and relevant planning policy in N.I. and RoI.
• Experience of leading on ecology for planning applications across a range of sectors including complex projects.
• Significant professional report writing skills
• Attention to detail, reliability and good organisational skills are essential
• Willing to travel across the NI and ROI, with occasional overnight stays from home
• CIEEM accredited
• Holding survey/mitigation licences from NIEA/NPWS in the past would be advantageous
• Ornithology experience would be advantageous
• Bat survey and GWDTE Experience.

Why work for us?

We offer a competitive and supportive rewards package designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally. This includes Life Assurance, access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and paid professional memberships such as CIEEM. We’re committed to continuous development, offering a blend of internal and external training opportunities to help you grow your skills and advance your career.

As part of our inclusive culture, you’ll have the opportunity to join our monthly Neurodiversity Café, take part in community action days, and benefit from our family friendly policies, including enhanced family leave options. While we value time spent together in our offices to collaborate and stay connected, most roles offer hybrid working and open conversations around flexibility.

You’ll also enjoy 25 days’ holiday, regular performance and development reviews, and the chance to collaborate across the wider Origin Group, especially within our growing family of Environmental businesses.

We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be building a diverse, inclusive team where everyone can grow, contribute and feel valued.

Visit our website to learn more — and grow with us.

#growwithus