Senior Ecologist: Flexible Work, Impactful Field Leader

Darwin Ecology Ltd; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-linked annual bonus

25+ days annual leave

Enhanced maternity / paternity pay

Professional membership fees paid

Generous training and equipment budget

37.5 hour week with TOIL

Pet-friendly offices

Clear path to grow specialisms

Job summary

Darwin Ecology Ltd is seeking a skilled ecologist with UK consultancy experience to join our teams in the south of England. You will work in a flexible, hybrid setup with autonomy over your schedule, leading surveys, delivering high-quality reports, and mentoring junior ecologists across Shaftesbury, Bristol, and Farnham.

We value conservation-led work, supportive culture, and diverse projects. A driving licence and willingness to travel to sites are expected as part of a balanced field-centric

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or similar is required.
• Solid UK consultancy experience and technical excellence are essential.
• Strong report writing and client communication skills are required.
• One or more protected species survey licences (e.g., bats, GCN, dormice, etc.) are preferred.
• UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites are expected.

Responsibilities

• Conducting complex scoping visits on larger sites and challenging planning/licensing cases.
• Organising and overseeing field surveys (bat, reptile, dormouse) and line-managing ecologists and sub-consultants.
• Leading bat surveys when required (typically weekly).
• Reporting results clearly to clients in actionable form.
• Quality assuring and signing off reports by the team.
• Managing projects of all sizes and devising ecological mitigation solutions.

Skills

UK consultancy experience

Report writing

Client communication

Team leadership or mentoring

Autonomy over work

Education

Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science or Biology

Job description

Darwin Ecology Ltd is seeking a skilled ecologist with UK consultancy experience to join our teams in the south of England. You will work in a flexible, hybrid setup with autonomy over your schedule, leading surveys, delivering high-quality reports, and mentoring junior ecologists across Shaftesbury, Bristol, and Farnham.

We value conservation-led work, supportive culture, and diverse projects. A driving licence and willingness to travel to sites are expected as part of a balanced field-centric