The Opportunity
We have a brilliant opportunity for a Principal Ecologist.
This company pride themselves in technical excellence and providing an innovative, pragmatic, client-friendly service. Due to company growth, they are seeking a Principal Ecologist; be that either a current experienced Senior Ecologist who wants to take their next step up or an existing Principal.
This role would be perfect for someone who wants to manage a growing team, ensuring they maintain quality, culture and performance.
Their growing team brings together a wide range of experience and specialisms to provide a comprehensive range of services from preliminary ecological appraisals (PEAs) through to shadow Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs), licence applications, design and implementation of habitat management and monitoring plans (HMMP) and species mitigation.
They are also leading BNG specialists, providing pragmatic advice and deliverable solutions.
Sector expertise includes renewable energy, leisure and heritage, strategic land, minerals and waste management, commercial and residential developments and planning support.
The project-based nature of the work means you must be willing to undertake travel and work away from home with occasional overnight stays, however, they work hard to ensure their team members achieve a work-life balance and meet their personal and career objectives, so they have caps on the numbers of nights away or antisocial hours worked. This because they prioritise their employees health and well-being, from encouraging them to take appropriate leave throughout projects and having inhouse mental health support; keeping their team safe, healthy and feeling valued are all part of the company ethos.
They work across the UK with the majority of projects across the Home Counties, South and Midlands.
Desirable Qualifications
Essential Skills
Full or chartered member of CIEEM (or eligible if not currently held)
Survey licence for one or more protected species e.g. bats/newts or a demonstrable specialist in other taxa (botany, inverts);
Experience of habitat surveys (Phase 1 or NVC/UK Habitats) and/or protected species surveys;
Experience of designing and implementing mitigation;
Experience of providing technical review of ecological reports;
Genuine and demonstrable enthusiasm for ecology and the environment;
Experience of line managing or providing guidance to junior members of an ecology team;
Motivated to work both independently and as part of a team;
Good communication skills with colleagues, clients and third parties;
Full driving licence and use of a car.
Desirable skills:
Experience of sales/business development, or willingness to learn;
Experience of EcIA, BREEAM or biodiversity net gain;
Advanced skills in one or more specialist ecological area e.g. bats;
Demonstrable enthusiasm/skills in one or more specialist ecological area e.g. bats, newts, botany;
Degree or equivalent in an ecology related discipline;
Experience of using QGIS or ArcGIS (training provided if not);
Have held European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licences for protected species e.g. great crested newt or bats; and
Hold specialist mitigation class licences such as Bat Low Impact Class licence or Badger class licence.
What's on Offer
Competitive salary;
Professional memberships paid for;
In-house training and unlimited external training budget;
Colleague awarded bonus scheme;
Generous pension;
Unlimited annual leave and flexible approach to work time; balancing a healthy work life balance.