Senior/Principal Ecologist

Origin Environmental; Guiseley; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

CIEEM membership

Hybrid working

25 days holiday

Job summary

Origin Enterprises is seeking a Senior/Principal Ecologist to lead complex ecological surveys and deliver integrated ecological solutions across development, infrastructure, conservation, and biodiversity projects in the UK and Ireland.

The role involves providing technical expertise, managing projects and client relationships, and mentoring junior staff, with substantial consulting experience and strong reporting skills.

Qualifications

• Significant consultancy experience.
• Liaising with clients, planning authorities, and conservation bodies.
• Clear, succinct and robust technical reports (PEAs, protected species surveys).
• Thorough knowledge of wildlife legislation and the planning system.
• Full driving license.

Responsibilities

• Leading and delivering complex ecological surveys, assessments, and mitigation across projects spanning development, infrastructure, conservation, and biodiversity enhancement.
• Providing technical expertise, managing projects and client relationships, and mentoring junior staff.
• Conducting Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs) and protected species surveys (e.g., bats, GCN, reptiles, badgers).
• Preparing high-quality ecological reports, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, and mitigation plans.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, planning policy, and best practice guidance.
• Liaising with stakeholders including clients, planning authorities, and conservation bodies.

Skills

Consultancy experience

Client liaison

Technical report writing

Wildlife legislation knowledge

Habitat surveys

BNG experience

Attention to detail

Education

CIEEM membership (desirable)

Tools

QGIS

Job description

Senior/Principal Ecologist

At Origin Enterprises, we are dedicated to championing sustainable land use, and our Environmental teams support a diverse range of clients and projects—from land management and development to restoration and conservation.

Joining us means becoming part of a collaborative, purpose driven community where this collective expertise enables us to deliver high quality, fully integrated solutions and contribute to meaningful environmental outcomes across the UK and Ireland.

About Brooks

Brooks Ecological has over 20 years' experience of delivering ecological surveys and advice to planners, regulators and conservation organisations. We pride ourselves on our reputation for the high quality of our service, clarity of presentation and ongoing client care.

As a friendly, ethical company, we are selective about the projects we undertake. We pride ourselves on sustainability, operating a fleet of fully electric pool cars powered by renewable energy sources.

With clients ranging from local authorities, house builders, schools, charities and householders, we offer an exciting variety of projects and the chance to be part of a growing, collaborative team.

The role will include:

• Leading and delivering complex ecological surveys, assessments, and mitigation across projects spanning development, infrastructure, conservation, and biodiversity enhancement.
• The role includes providing technical expertise, managing projects and client relationships, and mentoring junior staff.
• Conducting Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), and protected species surveys (e.g., bats, GCN, reptiles, badgers).
• Preparing high-quality ecological reports, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, and mitigation plans.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, planning policy, and best practice guidance.
• Liaising with stakeholders including clients, planning authorities, and conservation bodies.

Key Requirements:

• Significant consultancy experience.
• Liaising with stakeholders including clients, planning authorities, and conservation bodies.
• Demonstrable ability to provide clear, succinct and robust technical reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, and protected species surveys.
• Thorough knowledge of wildlife legislation and the planning system leading to confidence in providing technical advice to clients.
• Full range of survey skills including habitat surveys and protected species surveys.
• BNG experience.
• Attention to detail and the ability to deliver contracts on time and to budget.
• A client-focused approach where the commercial element of each project can be understood and appreciated.
• Full driving license.

Desirable skills and experience:

• A full membership with CIEEM
• Experience of writing ES chapters and HRA's
• Experience of writing EPSL applications, preferably held in your name
• QGIS skills

Why work for us?

We offer a competitive and supportive rewards package designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally. This includes Life Assurance, access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and paid professional memberships such as CIEEM. We're committed to continuous development, offering a blend of internal and external training opportunities to help you grow your skills and advance your career.

As part of our inclusive culture, you'll have the opportunity to join our monthly Neurodiversity Café, take part in community action days, and benefit from our family friendly policies, including enhanced family leave options. While we value time spent together in our offices to collaborate and stay connected, most roles offer hybrid working and open conversations around flexibility.

You'll also enjoy 25 days holiday, regular performance and development reviews, and the chance to collaborate across the wider Origin Group, especially within our growing family of Environmental businesses.

We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be building a diverse, inclusive team where everyone can grow, contribute and feel valued.

Visit our website to learn more - and grow with us.

#growwithus