Senior/Principal Ecologist

TN United Kingdom; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading Ecology practice in the UK, where you will work on diverse projects ranging from small residential developments to large sustainable initiatives. This role offers you the chance to choose your projects and shape your career while being part of a supportive employee-owned business. With a strong focus on ecological assessments and collaboration, you'll contribute to meaningful environmental solutions and work alongside specialists in the field. Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a wealth of professional development opportunities in a beautiful setting.

Benefits

Holiday and pension plans

Flexible/hybrid working

Employee-owned tax-free bonus

35-hour week

Access to continuous training and CPD

Professional membership subscriptions

Death in service scheme

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Free parking in Derby

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science required.
• Experience in managing ecological projects and preparing reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver high-quality ecological assessments and surveys.
• Collaborate with a large team of ecologists and environmental planners.

Skills

Ecological project management

Ecological assessments

Communication skills

Knowledge of UK ecology legislation

Biodiversity Net Gain

Education

Degree in Ecology

Degree in Environmental Science

Job description

Job Description

Your new company

One of the UK’s leading Ecology practices working extensively throughout the UK. Over the last 60 years, the consultancy has developed a valuable mix of multi-disciplinary expertise in masterplanning, environmental assessment, urban design, landscape, ecology, architecture, arboriculture, and green infrastructure.

With their head office in a rural area of Derbyshire, you'll be working in a beautiful manor house, surrounded by attractive grounds including a mature garden, pond, and various species of fauna and flora, an ecological haven! They also have regional offices in Exeter, Dorset, Greater London, Sheffield, and York.

Their directors all joined in junior positions and are now very involved with public enquiries and expert witness work due to their high success rate, backed by their ecological knowledge and reputation.

As an employee-owned business, all staff share in the success of the business.

Your new role

You'll be working on a diverse range of projects, from small to large, including single dwellings taking a day to large sustainable developments taking 10 years. The best part is that you'll have a choice in the projects you work on and how you develop your career. Their work mainly covers residential, renewables, and minerals & waste industries.

They host protected species, BNG, botanical specialists, project and people managers, and everything in between, allowing you to drive your career forward as you wish.

You will play a pivotal role in leading and delivering high-quality ecological assessments, surveys, and mitigation strategies, collaborating with a large team of ecologists (circa 60 in Derby and 120 UK-wide), landscape architects, arboriculturists, and environmental planners.

What you'll need to succeed

• At least a degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• A proven track record in managing and delivering ecological projects and meeting deadlines, including for small to large scale and more complex sites.
• Experience in ecological consultancy, with a focus on conducting surveys, assessments, preparing ecological reports, and project management.
• Sound knowledge of UK ecology legislation, guidelines, and best practices.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience advising clients on Biodiversity Net Gain, understanding and using the DEFRA Statutory Biodiversity Metric, and producing related reports and plans.
• You may have a particular ecological specialism or hold protected species licences, but a generalist background is also acceptable.
• Membership or eligibility for membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIEEM).
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

What you'll get in return

• Holiday and pension plans.
• Flexible/hybrid working with tailored plans including compressed hours and 4-day pro-rata weeks.
• 1:1 TOIL scheme.
• Employee-owned tax-free bonus (discretionary).
• 35-hour week!
• Regionally focused site work.
• Access to some of the most specialist individuals in the industry, providing in-house continuous training and CPD, as well as funded external CPD.
• Professional membership subscriptions.
• Death in service scheme.
• Health cash plan and smart health scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• In Derby: free parking, on-site shop and canteen with hot food, beautiful building, and surrounding grounds.