Senior Ecologist - Autonomy & Impact (Hybrid, South West)

BNG Group Ltd.; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave and holidays

Christmas shutdown

Home-based with Taunton office days

Business mileage

Equipment and CPD support

CPD time and licence progression

Autonomy with technical support

Job summary

BNG Group Ltd. is seeking a Senior Ecologist to independently lead ecological projects from enquiry through to delivery. You will manage fieldwork, produce EcIA and BNG assessments, and provide pragmatic advice to clients and project teams across the South West.

The role involves strong project management, QA of reports, mentoring colleagues and contributing to internal standards. Hybrid working with Taunton office days is offered.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience independently managing ecological consultancy projects.
• Strong experience undertaking PEAs and ecological site assessments.
• Competence in Preliminary Roost Assessments and protected species survey work.
• Strong experience preparing Ecological Impact Assessments and other technical ecology reports for planning.
• Good knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and current ecological guidance.
• Proficiency in UKHab classification and habitat condition assessment.
• Ability to independently undertake BNG assessments for small to medium-complexity projects.
• Experience contributing to or preparing HRAs and understanding the Habitats Regulations process.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage ecological projects from enquiry and survey planning through to reporting and delivery.
• Undertake and lead PEAs, PRAs, UKHab surveys, habitat condition assessments and protected species surveys.
• Prepare high-quality Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) and other ecological reports for planning.
• Deliver BNG assessments for small to medium-complexity projects, including habitat assessment, condition assessment, statutory metric calculations and associated reporting.
• Prepare and contribute to Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs), including screening and appropriate assessment work where competent.
• Undertake and/or support Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) assessments and associated technical reporting where relevant.
• Provide clear, pragmatic ecological advice to clients, architects and other project team members.
• Programme surveys and coordinate staff and subcontractors.
• Manage project delivery against agreed scope, programme and budget.
• Prepare fee proposals for suitable projects and contribute to larger or more complex quotations.
• Produce and troubleshoot ecological mapping using QGIS.
• Review and QA ecological reports and technical outputs produced by colleagues.
• Provide technical guidance and support to less experienced ecologists.
• Contribute to the continued development of internal technical standards, templates and working practices.

Skills

Project management

PEAs

Habitat surveys

EcIA reports

HRAs

Client communications

Budget management

Leadership of projects

Tools

QGIS

Job description

BNG Group Ltd. is seeking a Senior Ecologist to independently lead ecological projects from enquiry through to delivery. You will manage fieldwork, produce EcIA and BNG assessments, and provide pragmatic advice to clients and project teams across the South West.

The role involves strong project management, QA of reports, mentoring colleagues and contributing to internal standards. Hybrid working with Taunton office days is offered.