Senior or Principal Ecologist - Midlands

ISEP; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working

Career development

Client relationships

Job summary

Calibre Search is representing an established environmental consultancy seeking Senior and Principal Ecologists to join a Midlands-based team. The role combines field surveys, reporting, and client-facing project leadership across a diverse portfolio.

Hybrid working and flexible arrangements are offered, with opportunities to develop specialist skills, lead projects, and mentor colleagues in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or similar.
• Membership of CIEEM.
• Experience delivering ecological surveys and assessments for planning projects.
• Strong technical report-writing skills.
• Confidence managing projects and communicating with clients.
• Understanding of UK wildlife legislation and planning processes.

Responsibilities

• Managing ecological projects from initial survey to reporting and delivery.
• Overseeing habitat and protected species surveys.
• Preparing and reviewing technical reports (PEAs, EcIA, mitigation).
• Providing ecological advice through planning and development.
• Supporting Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and related work.
• Coordinating survey teams with other professionals.
• Managing project programmes, budgets and client expectations.
• Contributing to new project opportunities and fee proposals.
• Mentoring less experienced ecologists.

Skills

Ecology expertise

Project management

Client communication

Report writing

UK wildlife legislation

Education

Ecology degree

Environmental Science degree

CIEEM membership

Job description

Senior / Principal Ecologist

Location: Midlands

Salary:

• Senior Ecologist: 35,000 - 45,000 DOE

• Principal Ecologist: 45,000 - 55,000 DOE

Contract: Permanent Full-Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid & Flexible Working

Ready for your next move in Ecology?

Calibre Search is working with an established environmental consultancy looking to strengthen its Ecology team with the appointment of experienced Senior and Principal Ecologists.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys a mix of technical ecology, project management and working directly with clients, rather than being tied to one particular area of the job.

You'll be joining a collaborative team working across a varied portfolio of development and environmental projects, with the opportunity to take ownership of your work, develop your specialist interests and play a key role in the continued growth of the team.

The Role

Depending on your experience and seniority, you'll be involved in:

• Managing ecological projects from initial survey and assessment through to reporting and delivery.

• Undertaking and overseeing habitat and protected species surveys.

• Preparing and reviewing technical reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) and mitigation strategies.

• Providing ecological advice to clients throughout the planning and development process.

• Supporting the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments and associated ecological work.

• Coordinating survey teams and working alongside other environmental and planning professionals.

• Managing project programmes, budgets and client expectations.

• Supporting fee proposals and contributing to new project opportunities.

• Providing technical guidance and mentoring less experienced ecologists.

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak with ecologists who have around 4-5 years' experience or more, ideally gained within an environmental consultancy.

You'll ideally bring:

• A relevant degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a similar discipline.

• Membership of CIEEM.

• Experience delivering ecological surveys and assessments for planning and development projects.

• Strong technical report-writing skills.

• Confidence managing projects and communicating with clients.

• A good understanding of UK wildlife legislation, ecological guidance and the planning process.

We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Botany & Habitat Surveys - including detailed habitat assessment and botanical identification.

• Biodiversity Net Gain - practical experience with habitat assessments and BNG delivery.

• Bat Ecology - particularly candidates holding a Level 2 bat survey licence.

You don't need to tick every box. We're interested in speaking with experienced ecologists who can bring strong technical expertise and are looking to progress their careers.

What's On Offer?

• Competitive salary of 35,000- 55,000, depending on level and experience.

• Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements.

• A varied workload across different project types.

• Opportunities to develop specialist technical skills.

• Greater involvement in project leadership and client relationships.

• A supportive team environment with opportunities for continued career development.

• A wider employee benefits package.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age. We act as both an employment agency and employment business.