Senior or Principal Ecologist

My client is seeking a Senior Ecologist to help establish and lead ecological work from their Sheffield office. Applications are also welcomed from ecologists operating at Consultant or Principal level, offering flexibility for the right individual.

This is a standout opportunity for an ambitious and confident ecologist who wants to play a key role in building a growing regional presence, supported by an experienced and well resourced national ecology team. If you are motivated by responsibility, influence and clear progression, this role offers a genuine platform to accelerate your career.

As part of a multi disciplinary consultancy, you will work closely with colleagues across planning, landscape and master planning, gaining valuable exposure to the wider development process and helping to deliver outcomes that balance people and nature. The Sheffield office offers a collaborative environment alongside a small, friendly team of allied professionals.

The role offers a varied and engaging project portfolio, with involvement from early strategic planning through to delivery on the ground. You will coordinate and deliver high quality ecological work, take ownership of projects and play an active role in recruiting, mentoring and developing junior ecologists.

As a senior member of the team, you will be client facing and technically hands on, leading protected species surveys and overseeing technical outputs including PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments and mitigation strategies.

You will be an enthusiastic, organised and proactive ecologist with strong technical capability and the confidence to help grow a new team.

• A relevant ecology or biology degree, ideally 2:1 or above
• Protected species survey experience, including personal species survey licences
• Strong habitat survey experience, including UKHab, with sound botanical skills
• Excellent knowledge of UK wildlife legislation
• Clear, confident written and verbal communication skills
• Competence with MS Office and QGIS
• A collaborative, hardworking approach with the ability to manage multiple projects
• A forward thinking mindset and interest in new guidance, methods and innovation
• Willingness to undertake a fair share of night time surveys, typically one or two per week during the main season, with occasional overnight stays
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use
• Membership of CIEEM at ACIEEM level or above

• A strong technical specialism, such as bats, ornithology or botany
• A Level 2 bat licence
• FISC Level 3 or above

My client is committed to creating a supportive, flexible and rewarding working environment, with a strong focus on wellbeing and professional development.

The benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary, typically £35,000 to £43,000 for a Senior Ecologist, up to £58,000 for a Principal
• Permanent, full time contract
• Hybrid working, with up to two days per week from home
• Flexible working around core hours
• Annual profit related and performance based bonus
• Paid overtime for out of hours survey work
• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 with service, plus a winter shutdown
• Enhanced pension contributions with length of service
• Annual staff trip and regular team social events
• Annual company and ecology team days with internal and external speakers
• Mobile phone and fieldwork clothing allowance
• Generous training budget and clear commitment to CPD
• Paid professional subscriptions and licence fees
• Employee wellbeing support, including access to an Employee Assistance Programme

If you are interested in finding out more about this position or similar roles currently and would like a discreet non committal chat, please contact Jeremy Money ().

We will confidentially retain your details and inform you of any other suitable opportunities arising should you not be successful in this role.

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