Senior Ecologist

We are looking for a Senior ecologist to join one of our teams in Bedford, London or Woodbridge (Suffolk). We offer the opportunity to join a friendly and committed team of multi-disciplinary professionals and a supportive working environment. Training and mentoring is provided to help you progress your career. We are currently operating hybrid working, with a minimum of three days in the office and the remainder potentially available, by agreement, for working from home.

Your work will typically include:

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
EcIA
Protected species survey
Multi-disciplinary working, including participating in planning led projects.
Mitigation design
Species translocation
Management plans
Habitats Regulations Assessment
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment
Collaborate with and support the work of other disciplines, e.g Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture
You will be expected to:

Manage and take ownership of projects
Undertake EIA-level ecological reporting and assessment (EcIA) including negotiation with clients and other members of project team
Lead on protected species mitigation including licensing.
Prepare fee proposals for major, and multidisciplinary projects
Continue to develop knowledge of the planning, legal and regulatory frameworks.
Work in other offices in the Practice when required.
Work away from home as required to complete site surveys; hotel and travel expenses are paid
Survey during the evening, night and early morning survey: 2 or 3 nights per week at peak times during the relevant survey season.
Undertake risk assessments as necessary
Undertake marketing independently and alongside colleagues to develop ecology work, particularly in East Midlands, London and the South-East.
Undertake CPD to at least meet minimum targets set by CIEEM
Key skills, attributes and experience:

Ability to work within a team, with the ambition and potential to lead others and further develop the ecology team in your office
Ability to formulate and communicate ideas
Ability to work efficiently and diligently to reasonable deadlines
Good working knowledge of Office software packages (eg: Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Excellent written skills including ability to write clear assessment reports
Good verbal communication clear and courteous
Flexible approach to work and taking proportionate responsibility
Enthusiasm to further develop career and skills
Good problem-solving skills
Ability to work under own initiative and to prioritise workloads for yourself and your team.
Project management and budgeting skills
Good negotiating skills
Qualifications:

First or second-class degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent
Full membership of CIEEM
Other requirements:

Driving Licence essential and access to a car is highly desirable
A reasonable degree of physical fitness is essential in order to undertake survey work
You should have at least 3 years relevant experience after becoming a full member of CIEEM
You should have experience in large, multi-disciplinary projects
You should have been heavily involved in EPS mitigation licences and/or hold at least 1 survey licence (e.g. bats, dormouse, GCN, crayfish)
You should be able to recognize lowland UK habitat types, and have in-depth knowledge of their ecology and management
You should have botanical ID skills sufficient to be able to undertake the above
You should have detailed knowledge of UK species and habitat legislation
Right to work in the UK
Benefits include:

Competitive salary
Training and career development
A safe and enjoyable working environment
Voluntary workplace pension
Cyclescheme
A starting allowance of 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
Payment of professional memberships
For a job description please email [contact hidden]