Senior Ecologist

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote working

Company car or car allowance

Flexible working hours

Hybrid arrangements

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Training and development

Job summary

Not disclosed is seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to join its growing team in the United Kingdom. The role offers a varied workload across infrastructure, construction, and development projects, combining fieldwork, technical leadership, and project delivery.

You’ll work closely with project managers and senior colleagues, acting as a technical lead on ecological matters while supporting junior team members and ensuring projects are delivered to a high professional standard.

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology or related environmental discipline.
• 4+ years UK ecology consultancy experience.
• Bat licence Level 1 or other species licences preferred.
• Strong experience in protected species and habitat surveys.
• Solid understanding of the planning system and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Proven technical report writing and QA skills.
• Confident communicator with clients and contractors.
• Ability to manage workloads and coordinate surveys.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead protected species surveys and deliver projects to time and budget.
• Act as technical ecological lead across projects.
• Undertake Ecological Clerk of Works duties on site.
• Complete UKHab / Phase 1 surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Assist with HRAs, licences, and EIA ecology inputs.
• Coordinate surveys from inception through completion.
• Ensure compliance with ecological legislation and planning conditions.
• Review work of junior ecologists.

Skills

Protected species surveys

Technical leadership

Client communication

Project coordination

Report writing

Education

BSc/MSc in ecology or related field

Tools

GIS mapping

Job description

An established environmental consultancy is seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to join its growing team. This role offers a varied workload across infrastructure, construction, and development projects, combining fieldwork, technical leadership, and project delivery.

You’ll work closely with project managers and senior colleagues, acting as a technical lead on ecological matters while supporting junior team members and ensuring projects are delivered to a high professional standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver protected species surveys, including bats.
• Act as technical ecological lead across a range of projects.
• Undertake and manage Ecological Clerk of Works duties on site.
• Complete UKHab / Phase 1 surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Support the preparation of HRAs, mitigation licences, and EIA ecology inputs.
• Assist with project coordination from inception through to completion.
• Ensure compliance with ecological legislation, licences, and planning conditions.
• Review and guide the work of junior ecologists.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in ecology or a related environmental discipline.
• Minimum 4+ years' UK experience in ecological consultancy or related sector.
• Ideally a Bat licence holder (Level 1) or any other species licenses.
• Strong experience in protected species and habitat surveys.
• Sound understanding of the planning system, including BNG.
• Proven technical report writing and quality assurance skills.
• Confident communicator with clients, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage workloads and coordinate surveys effectively.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel and work survey hours.

Desirable:

• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards chartership).
• Experience producing protected species licences.
• Background in infrastructure, transport, or property development projects.
• Additional protected species licences (GCN, dormice, reptiles, barn owls).
• Experience with EIAs, HRAs, and GIS mapping.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Remote working and site visits.
• Company car or car allowance with mileage.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid arrangements.
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday leave.
• Pension scheme.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

Why Apply?

This role offers the chance to step into a senior position within a supportive consultancy, delivering high-quality ecological services on diverse and meaningful projects. You'll benefit from flexibility, strong career development, and the opportunity to make a real impact across the environmental sector.