Senior Ecologist

Cobalt Recruitment; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work option

Company car or car allowance

Hybrid arrangements

Birthday leave

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Cobalt Recruitment seeks an experienced Senior Ecologist to join its growing environmental team. The role blends fieldwork, technical leadership and project delivery across infrastructure, construction and development projects.

You will work with project managers and senior staff as a technical lead on ecological matters while mentoring junior colleagues and ensuring high professional standards are met. Flexibility with remote work and site visits is expected.

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology or related environmental discipline.
• Minimum 4 years’ UK experience in ecological consultancy or related sector.
• Bat licence holder (Level 1, working towards Level 2).
• 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.
• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards chartership).
• Experience producing protected species licences.

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.

Education

Degree in ecology or related environmental discipline

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.
• Bat licence holder (Level 1, working towards Level 2).
• 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.
• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards chartership).
• Experience producing protected species licences.
• Background in infrastructure, transport, or property development projects.
• 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.
• 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.

When applying to any role through Cobalt, your CV will never be shared with a client without your prior consent.