Senior Ecologist

Wessex Ecology Ltd; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional membership paid

All work-related expenses paid

NEST pension

Profit-related bonus

Personal training budget of £1000/year

Use of Company van for work

Private medical insurance

Death in service benefit

Job summary

Wessex Ecology Ltd in Aylesbury is seeking a Senior Ecologist to lead ecological projects from inception to completion. The role includes managing budgets, mentoring junior staff, and serving as a client contact. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years' experience, full CIEEM membership, and skills in project management and ecological assessments. The position offers a permanent contract with extensive benefits including a professional membership, private medical insurance, and a personal training budget.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' post-graduate consultancy experience.
• Confident with BNG assessments and biodiversity metric calculations.
• Holding or close to achieving a minimum of two protected species survey licences.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, EcIA and EIA chapters.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and client relationships.
• Provide technical QA and sign-off on survey reports.

Skills

Ecological assessments

Project management

Mentoring and supervising

Communication skills

GIS competence

Education

Full membership of CIEEM (MCIEEM)

FISC level 4

Tools

QGIS

Job description

We're looking for a Senior Ecologist or experienced Ecologist ready to step up who is seeking a varied workload to join our independent ecological consultancy. You'll lead ecological projects from inception to completion, manage and mentor junior staff, and serve as a trusted point of contact for clients. This is a hands‑on role combining fieldwork, report writing, and project management.

Wessex Ecology is an independent ecological consultancy providing expert advice to developers, landowners, and public‑sector clients across southern England and Wales. Our client base includes householders, architects, house builders, water utilities, rural agents and government agencies.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and deliver Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, EcIA and EIA chapters, and protected species surveys
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and client relationships
• Provide technical QA and sign‑off on survey reports and mitigation strategies
• Mentor and supervise junior team members
• Maintain and develop client accounts
• Contribute to tenders and fee proposals

About You

• Minimum 5 years' post‑graduate consultancy experience
• Full membership of CIEEM (MCIEEM)
• Confident with BNG assessments and biodiversity metric calculations
• Holding or close to achieving a minimum two protected species survey licences (e.g., great crested newt, bat, dormouse)
• Competence in GIS (QGIS)
• Strong report‑writing and communication skills
• Full UK driving licence
• Additional survey licences (e.g., rare reptile, barn owl, white‑clawed crayfish)
• FISC level 4
• Track record of preparing project mitigation licences
• Track record of business development or client acquisition

Job title: Senior Ecologist

Contract: Permanent

Office location: Aylesbury/Oxford/Bristol

Hours: 40/week (between May & September these hours worked Monday to Thursday)

Holiday entitlement: 224 statutory holiday hours/year (equivalent to 28 eight‑hour days.) This includes public holidays. In addition to statutory holidays we offer a further 40 hours/year (equivalent to 5 eight‑hour days).

Benefits

one professional membership paid, all work‑related expenses paid, NEST pension after 3 months. After 12 months you will receive a profit related bonus. Personal training budget of £1000/year. Use of Company van for work. Private medical insurance. Death in service benefit.