Senior Ecologist

Irwin & Colton; South Oxfordshire; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Benefits

Job summary

Irwin and Colton is recruiting a Senior Ecologist to support habitat and species surveys across major infrastructure projects. The role is home-based with weekly travel to offices and sites across the South East and South West, and is part of an expanding in-house ecology team within a leading UK contractor.

You will manage ECoW requirements, licensing and mitigation, contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain delivery, and work closely with project teams to align priorities and ecological outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in field surveys and reporting, including UK Habitat Classification assessment, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) condition assessment and protected species surveys.
• Sound knowledge of ecological principles, legislation, policy and guidance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Valid UK driving licence, with willingness to travel and stay away from home for short periods when required.

Responsibilities

• Support habitat and species surveys, ensuring ecological requirements are met
• Manage ECoW requirements, impact assessments, licensing and mitigation activities
• Contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivery, including BNG condition assessment
• Engage confidently with project teams to coordinate priorities and expectations

Skills

Field surveys experience

Ecology knowledge

Valid UK driving licence

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Senior Ecologist

£40,000 - £55,000 + Company Car + benefits

Home-based with weekly travel to offices and sites across the South East and South West

Are you ready to help shape an in-house ecology team that protects habitats and supports vital infrastructure delivery?

We are looking for a Senior Ecologist to join a leading UK principal contractor, turning over in excess of £2bn. This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the UK's leading infrastructure businesses and play a key role in delivering ecological support across major infrastructure projects. The team is expanding significantly, offering excellent long-term career progression and exposure to a diverse range of projects, habitats and protected species work.

This is a hybrid role, with offices based across Oxfordshire, Beaconsfield, Bristol, Exeter, Cambridge, Suffolk, Ipswich, Luton or Winchester.

Key responsibilities of the Senior Ecologist:

• Support habitat and species surveys, ensuring ecological requirements are met
• Manage ECoW requirements, impact assessments, licensing and mitigation activities
• Contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivery, including BNG condition assessment
• Engage confidently with project teams to coordinate priorities and expectations

The successful Principal Ecologist will have:

• Experience in field surveys and reporting, including UK Habitat Classification assessment, BNG condition assessment and protected species surveys
• Sound knowledge of ecological principles, legislation, policy and guidance
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities effectively
• Valid UK driving licence, with willingness to travel and stay away from home for short periods when required

If you're looking to join a supportive, values-driven team and make a tangible difference to biodiversity outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Irwin and Colton is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion please let us know if we can do anything to make the process more accessible to you.