Senior Ecologist

Penguin Recruitment; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ecological consultancy is seeking a Senior Ecologist to manage and mentor a growing team. The role involves complex ecological field surveys, project management, and ensuring compliance with environmental legislation. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and extensive experience in ecology. This full-time permanent role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Contributory Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Training and career progression opportunities

Life Assurance Plan

Private Health Insurance

Qualifications

• Extensive experience within an ecological consultancy.
• Hold Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
• Full, valid UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor colleagues in their development.
• Conduct complex field surveys and provide expert guidance.
• Manage a portfolio of ecological projects.

Skills

Ecological survey techniques

Leadership in ecological projects

Botanical identification

Habitat assessment

Understanding of relevant legislation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Biology, or Environmental Science

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Senior Ecologist

Location: Chelmsford

Salary: £35,000 - £45,000

Ref. No.: CJD(phone number removed)I

This is the ideal opportunity to join my client, a well-established, highly-respected multidisciplinary consultancy, renowned for lending their expertise to a range of high-profile projects across the ecological, planning and design, and arboricultural landscapes. They are actively seeking an experienced, driven Senior Ecologist, willing to take on a variety of challenging projects alongside a growing team of professionals, based near the scenic, culturally-rich city of Chelmsford.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary (commensurate with experience)
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement (including your Birthday off), raising with length of service
• Training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities
• Life Assurance Plan
• Private Health/Medical Insurance
• Additional benefits packages, tailored to suit you

Responsibilities

• Leading and mentoring colleagues, encouraging the Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and overseeing their highest-quality deliverables across a range of projects
• Conducting complex field surveys, providing expert guidance, and utilising data to inform other aspects of projects
• Managing a portfolio of projects, from intricate to large-scale, including Mitigation Strategies involving Protected Species
• Cultivating excellent working relationships with clients and other stakeholders, managing their expectations, and delivering successful projects within agreed budgets and timescales
• Ensuring all projects are compliant with the relevant processes, procedures, and legislation, producing detailed reports in support of Planning Applications and Developments
• Working collaboratively with your team and the broader company, demonstrating your ability to undertake and lead projects to the highest of standards

Required skills and experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Extensive experience within an ecological consultancy setting (or within a similar, relevant role with a Local Authority)
• Hold Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
• Demonstrable experience of leading a range of complex projects, including delivering high-quality ecological surveys
• Excellent understanding of ecology, including relevant legislation and procedural guidelines, including advanced surveying techniques
• Highly knowledgeable in dealing with Protected Species and Habitat Management
• Confident and competent in enhanced botanical identification and habitat assessment skills, assisting and developing complex ecological surveys with respect to these
• Experience producing technical reports, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA), and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments
• Sound understanding of the application of relevant Planning Policies for a variety of development projects
• Hold at least one Protected Species Survey Licence
• Full, valid UK driving licence, with willingness to travel across the local region and beyond
• Experience navigating Protected Species Survey Licensing and Mitigation Strategies processes

Desirable skills and experience

• Hold multiple Protected Species Survey Licences

If you are interested in the role of Senior Ecologist, please contact the Ecology Team at Penguin Recruitment. Please also see our website for a range of other roles currently available. This is a permanent role. Penguin Recruitment is operating as a recruitment agency in respect to this vacancy