Ecologist

Location West Sussex
Discipline: Environmental, Ecology, Horticulture, Consultant
Salary: Competitive
Contact name: Nigel Allen

Contact email: nigel@agrecruiting.co.uk
Job ref: AS296-Sussex
Published: about 2 years ago

​​As a dynamic and growing business, our client is searching for self-motivated and positive-minded Ecologists to join their friendly team in one of their regional offices. The successful candidates will be involved in all areas of our work, supporting clients in a vast range of different sectors. Responsibilities include carrying out habitat and protected species surveys, advising clients of constraints and survey requirements, and establishing opportunities for biodiversity enhancements.

Depending on experience, this position could provide a great opportunity to learn how to lead and deliver individual projects from start to finish, manage sub-contractors and junior staff and write effective technical reports. Due to the culture of the company you would also be encouraged to further your CPD and would be given a chance to learn from more experienced colleagues who are experts in their field and can provide valuable mentoring.

Our client has a number of permanent roles available in several of their well-appointed offices across the UK and the successful candidates will be based from one of these, however, the project-based nature of our work means that there will be a requirement for travel, overnight stays and possibly longer periods of working away from home necessary to complete the contract.

To be considered for this role, you will have:

  • A relevant degree qualification;

  • A minimum of 3 years’ experience in ecological consultancy or related work;

  • Excellent fieldwork skills with experience of a range of fauna and flora survey methods;

  • Excellent knowledge of relevant UK and European environmental legislation;

  • At least one Natural England protected species licence (or be working towards);

  • At least Associate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or be eligible;

  • A valid Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) card;

  • The ability to plan, coordinate and lead surveys, often with quickly changing schedules;

  • Experience of managing projects to deadlines and budget;

  • Willingness to work outside normal office hours as required;

  • The ability to use own initiative and be proactive;

  • The will to take on other duties or administrative tasks as required;

  • A full clean UK driving licence;

  • Eligibility to work in the UK.

Preferably, you will also have:

  • Experience in using a range of bat detectors and ability to analyse sonograms accurately;

  • Experience in planning and advising on mitigation for at least one protected species;

  • Experience in writing European Protected Species Mitigation licence applications;

  • Experience in preliminary ecological appraisals and Phase 1 surveys;

  • Experience in using a range of bat detectors and sonogram analysis;

  • Experience in Ecological Clerk of Works;

  • Experience in preparing BREEAM Assessments.

Applications are particularly welcome from ecologists who have botany as a specialism and are, or could be certified at FISC level 4 or above.

What’s in it for you?

  • Competitive salary on a scale commensurate with experience (plus £2,000 for London Weighting if applicable);

  • TOIL (time off in lieu) policy and flexible approach to working hours to ensure a healthy work-life balance.

  • 26 days annual leave (& bank holidays) plus an additional day for each year of service up to 29 days

  • Enhanced maternity pay;

  • Opportunities for career development and training;

  • Auto enrolment pension scheme (after 3 months’ service);

  • Cycle to work scheme;

  • Socials, games nights and volunteering days through our staff engagement and development initiative;

  • Fun, friendly, and forward-thinking co-workers;

  • A dog-friendly office.

The client

Our client is one of the UK’s leading independent infrastructure and property consultancies, specialising in environment, ecology, planning and sustainability. Working with

their clients, and with a team comprising many recognised industry leaders, they work on many exciting, complex, challenging and globally relevant projects, programmes and schemes and

are proud of their many and varied achievements. They provide a bespoke professional service to clients so that they can make the right decisions and achieve the best outcomes, and they

do this by leveraging their experience and breadth of skills alongside their insights, commitment, and ethical approach.

 

The company is defined by their unique culture - one that puts people at the core of everything they do. They strive to create a friendly and supportive working environment, encouraging staff

to take advantage of every opportunity for professional development and assisting them in their career progression. Joining our client is a chance to be part of close-knit,

fun, openminded and driven team that really cares about what they do and prides itself on the quality of their work.