Senior Ecologist

Our Client, a leading design & engineering consultancy, is seeking a Senior or Principal Ecologist to join their team in the Epsom/London area. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in ecology, with a strong passion for implementing biodiversity net gain, supporting the carbon net-zero agenda, and contributing to innovative nature-based solutions across a variety of market sectors. Experience Required for Senior Ecologist: – Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or equivalent, and chartership (CEcol or CEnv). The client to cover membership costs. – A degree in ecology or a closely related field (desirable but not essential). – Demonstrable project management experience including technical, financial and quality assurance aspects. – Strong botanical skills, including Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) level 4+, or demonstrable botanical ability matching this level. – Strong working knowledge and experience of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric. – Demonstrable experience of undertaking Biodiversity Net Gain assessments. – Strong skills in report writing, including preparing Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Chapters for Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessment (including Appropriate Assessment). – Experience of undertaking quality assurance and technical lead roles for projects. – Demonstrable experience of working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and familiarity with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, including expert witness, would be viewed favourably. – Protected species survey licence(s). – A full, clean UK driving licence. Responsibilities for Senior Ecologist: – Leading on nationally important infrastructure projects, managing project programmes and budgets. – Collaborating with their multi-disciplinary teams and undertaking stakeholder engagement. – Planning and undertaking field surveys; analysing and interpreting survey results. – Designing and co-ordinating ecological mitigation. – Authoring and checking/reviewing a range of ecological reports and licence applications. – Providing support and mentorship to other team members, particularly early careers staff. – Managing work enquiries, preparing bids and building client relationships. – Building and maintain strong working relationships with team, colleagues, clients and external bodies. – Supporting the development of a portfolio of ecological work in the Southern region, by building a network with both internal and external clients within the South England region and UK-wide