Senior Ecologist

Ecology Jobs; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Profit-linked annual bonus

25+ days annual leave

Enhanced maternity / paternity pay

Professional membership fees paid

Generous training budget

37.5 hour week with TOIL

Pet-friendly offices

Clear path to grow your specialisms

Job summary

Darwin Ecology is seeking a Senior Ecologist to join our South West team in Bristol or Shaftesbury. You’ll lead field surveys, manage sub-consultants, and deliver clear client reports on complex ecological projects.

With several years of UK consultancy experience and a passion for conservation, you’ll enjoy autonomy, flexible hybrid working and a supportive, non-pressured culture designed around your life and strengths.

Qualifications

• You’re a skilled ecologist with several years’ UK consultancy experience.
• You hold a degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or similar.
• You can write clear client reports and manage surveys and teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex scoping visits for large sites and challenging planning/licensing.
• Organise and oversee field surveys including bat/reptile/dormouse surveys.
• Lead bat surveys as required and sign off client reports.
• Manage projects of varying scales and devise mitigation solutions.

Skills

UK consultancy experience

Report writing

Client communication

Team leadership

Field surveys

Autonomy

Education

Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or Biology

Tools

Planning systems

EcIA

HRA

Biodiversity Net Gain

Job description

Overview

• Job title: Senior Ecologist
• Contract type: Permanent
• Level: Senior Level
• Region: Bristol or Shaftesbury, South West England
• Salary/salary range*: £34–£45K + Profit-linked Annual Bonus

Shape Your Career Around Your Life

We know that talented, experienced ecologists don’t always fit neatly into a 9–5. At Darwin Ecology, flexible and hybrid working isn’t a perk we mention in passing — it’s built into how we operate. We’ll work with you to design a role and schedule that plays to your strengths and fits your life.

Who We’re Looking For

You’re a skilled, confident ecologist based near Bristol or Shaftesbury with several years of UK consultancy experience under your belt. You care deeply about conservation, you’re good with clients and organising a team, and you’re ready for a role where your expertise is valued — and where you have autonomy over your work.

You might be looking for somewhere that offers professional challenge without the inflexibility or pressure culture that can come with larger firms. That’s exactly what we’ve built.

You’ll Bring

• Solid UK consultancy experience and technical excellence
• A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or similar
• Strong report writing and client communication skills
• One or more protected species survey licences (ideally bats but also GCN, dormice, barn owls, or rare reptiles)
• Experience with planning systems, EcIAs, HRAs, and Biodiversity Net Gain
• A UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites

Even Better If You Have

• Natural England Level 2 class survey licence for bats
• Mitigation licensing or Named Ecologist experience
• BMCL registration or Earned Recognition credentials
• Management or mentorship experience
• Full CIEEM membership, or Chartered Ecologist status – or active progress towards either

What a Career At Darwin Looks Like

We’re a well-established consultancy across the south and south west of England, known for thoughtful, conservation-led work across a diverse range of projects. Our teams in Shaftesbury, Bristol and Farnham collaborate closely and there’s not a competitive culture.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Conducting complex scoping visits, including larger sites and more challenging planning or licensing situations
• Organising and overseeing field surveys – bat, reptile or dormouse surveys, badger monitoring checks — line managing Assistant Ecologists, Ecologists and sub-consultants carrying them out
• Leading bat surveys where required, typically one or two per week
• Reporting results to clients clearly and succinctly, in a form they can act on with confidence
• Quality assuring and signing off reports produced by other members of the team
• Managing projects of all scales independently, including devising innovative solutions to ecological mitigation and compensation problems that don’t have an off-the-shelf answer

What We Offer

• Flexible and hybrid working — structured around your needs
• Profit-linked annual bonus
• 25+ days annual leave, increasing over time
• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay
• Professional membership fees paid
• Generous training and equipment budget every year
• 37.5 hour week with a structured TOIL system
• Pet-friendly offices
• A clear path to grow your specialisms and shape your own role

Why Darwin?

We’re a small business that is managed with empathy, where solidarity between team members is encouraged. Small enough that your work really matters, and established enough to offer real stability and a strong reputation. You’ll a named, respected voice on projects you can be proud of.

If you’re at a point in your career where you want meaningful work, flexibility, and a team that champions you — we’d love to hear from you.