Our blue-chip client are seeking experienced ecologists to join their dynamic and forward-thinking ecology team based in Bristol or Cardiff. Whether you’re a technical expert with a specialism in a particular species or group, or you’re a generalist who enjoys working on a range of projects, we can provide the platform to create and shape your own role. We are particularly interested to welcome ecologists with a specialism in Chiroptera into the team and an NRW bat licence or NE Level 2 Licence would be a significant advantage. This is a fantastic opportunity to further your career within an established and successful business that has welfare and wellbeing as core values.

As a principal ecologist with them, you’ll be reliable, hard-working, organised and pro-active, in order to help you manage a busy workload. You’ll have specialist knowledge developed over the course of your career, and experience of a wide range of projects. You’ll have good project management skills and report-writing skills, and some experience of line-managing individuals. Experience in creating and managing large datasets and using GIS applications to better capture data from field surveys would be an advantage.

The South West and South Wales ecology team is unique in that whilst we enjoy the benefits and security of a large corporation, we work as a small close-knit ecology consultancy and understand the importance of welfare and wellbeing. We have mentors within the team who provide support at a personal level and guide the development of skills and experience. There is a programme of internal training courses and a generous budget for external training aligned to your professional development goals. We promote a healthy work-life balance and encourage agile-working, with a flexible home-office location within the team if you are willing to travel.

Job Duties:
Assisting in the winning, delivery and management (technical and financial) of ecological projects.
Liaising with clients, project managers and other project stakeholders including statutory bodies;
Managing and mentoring staff as part of our mentoring / line management network;
Represent our client externally through projects, client management, publications and presentations;
Undertaking other tasks which add value to the technical expertise and development of the ecology team, or support wider environmental business goals;
Uses advanced scientific principles, theories, practices and existing technologies develop technical solutions to complex problems;
Interprets and records data, conducts analyses, compares findings to relevant studies and local, provincial, and national regulations to ensure compliance. Work is performed with minimal direction;
Plans and organises project studies;
Providing technical input to reporting with the ability to follow quality assurance processes;
Performs complex assignments often requiring the development of unique solutions to problems; and
May oversee the work of less experienced ecologists.

Minimum Requirements :
Ability/permission to work in the UK;
Excellent knowledge of UK and EC wildlife legislation and policy, as well as Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA); Bat license holder (NRW and/or NE Level 2);
Holder of other relevant protected species survey licenses (e.g. dormice) and experience as an Accredited Agent or Named Ecologist on mitigation licenses;
Experience of Phase 1 Habitat and protected species surveys and licensing;
Technical and professional proficiency with a demonstrable history of delivering ecology projects to a high standard, on time and within budgets;
Strong project management skills and experience (including technical, financial and quality aspects);
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, in particular, the ability to write concise technical reports;
Proven ability to work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and clients, as well as to manage own time;
Experience in line management as well as technical leadership of teams of ecologists on major projects;
Electronic data capture, analysis, and presentation;
Adaptable and flexible approach to work to meet peaks in demands (as all roles are likely to involve occasional longer/and or unsociable hours and a degree of working away from home for days/ weeks at a time).
Preferred Qualifications :
You will have a BSc in a relevant subject