Senior Ecologist — Lead Fieldwork & Reports

Cobalt Recruitment.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle or car allowance

Pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Ongoing training and professional de-

25 days annual leave plus birthday

Job summary

Cobalt Recruitment is seeking a Senior Ecologist for a growing environmental consultancy to lead protected species surveys and fieldwork across infrastructure, utilities, and development projects. You will act as the technical ecology lead, deliver EcIA/HRA reports, and support project management while mentoring junior ecologists.

The role blends fieldwork with reporting, stakeholder engagement, and career progression in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or related environmental discipline.
• Minimum 4 years' ecological consultancy or relevant sector experience.
• Holder of protected species licences, including dormouse and bat licences.
• Full or Associate CIEEM membership, ideally working towards chartership.
• Strong understanding of ecology, environmental legislation, planning processes and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Experience managing surveys, projects and technical report production.
• Competent user of bat analysis software and GIS mapping tools.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing protected species surveys and ecological fieldwork.
• Acting as the technical ecology lead on a variety of projects from inception through to delivery.
• Undertaking UKHab surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, including metric calculations.
• Acting as Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) and overseeing environmental compliance on site.
• Producing and reviewing technical reports, including EcIA, HRA and protected species licence applications.
• Supporting project management, programme delivery and commercial performance.
• Mentoring junior ecologists and undertaking technical review of reports and survey outputs.
• Building strong relationships with clients, contractors and project stakeholders.

Skills

Ecology

Protected species surveys

GIS mapping

Bat analysis software

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Technical reporting

Mentoring juniors

Driving licence

Education

Degree in Ecology

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Cobalt Recruitment is seeking a Senior Ecologist for a growing environmental consultancy to lead protected species surveys and fieldwork across infrastructure, utilities, and development projects. You will act as the technical ecology lead, deliver EcIA/HRA reports, and support project management while mentoring junior ecologists.

The role blends fieldwork with reporting, stakeholder engagement, and career progression in a collaborative environment.