Senior Ecologist (UK wide)
Senior Ecologist (UK wide)

Senior Ecologist (UK wide)

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative ecological projects across the UK, balancing desk and fieldwork.
  • Company: Join Jacobs, a global leader in solving critical environmental challenges.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, professional development support, and wellness resources.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on diverse infrastructure projects while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in terrestrial ecology and strong communication skills are essential.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours and a culture of inclusion and diversity await you.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Market Environmental

At Jacobs, we\’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world\’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Join Jacobs’ UK Ecology Team as an Ecologist and become part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation that’s making a real impact—locally and globally.

We’re hiring nationwide, with opportunities available in our offices across Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough and Reading. Wherever you’re based, you’ll find a welcoming team and exciting projects waiting for you.

At Jacobs, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. You’ll be joining a respected and ambitious company with a strong reputation for excellence and innovation. Our commitment to your growth is backed by:

  • Global Career Framework – chart your path with clarity and purpose
  • Chartership Academy Programme – support to achieve professional accreditation
  • Employee Networks & Communities of Practice – connect with over 200 ecologists in the UK & Ireland, and 600+ globally
  • A culture of collaboration and sustainability – work on projects that matter
  • Whether you\’re looking to lead groundbreaking ecological assessments or contribute to shaping environmental policy, Jacobs provides the platform to thrive.

    Positions are available on a permanent full-time and part-time, job share or flexible basis.

    The role will include:

    In this role, you’ll bring technical insight, strategic thinking, and a commitment to high-quality delivery;

  • Delivering some of the most challenging, diverse and innovative infrastructure projects. Presently, we are engaged on a variety of large projects including water infrastructure, highway and rail schemes, energy infrastructure for clients
  • A combination desk and site-based tasks
  • Using your experience in protected species survey, Ecological Clerk of Works, Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment and/or Biodiversity Net Gain.
  • Working in multidisciplinary teams – quickly building rapport and trust to ensure that terrestrial ecology requirements are recognised, acknowledged and constraints acted upon.
  • Designing ecological monitoring programmes – developing survey programmes, leading and/or managing survey teams and being responsible for high quality data collection
  • Enthusiastically leading from the front – being the first point of contact in the provision of expert advice to both clients and stakeholders.
  • A willingness to both learn from and mentor others – developing and sharing skills that build team and individual resilience. This will include engagement with our global communities of practice, externally facing communications (conferences, presentations, client meetings) and training events
  • We offer different career pathways to suit your strengths – whether you’re motivated by line management responsibilities or prefer to focus on technical expertise, progression is supported in both routes, with management being an option rather than a requirement
  • Here\’s what you\’ll need

  • A background in terrestrial ecology with significant years relevant industry experience.
  • Full membership of a professional body (or experience to obtain full membership)
  • Experienced in running ecological inputs on medium-large scale projects.
  • Outstanding written and verbal skills with good attention to detail.
  • High level of personal responsibility.
  • Ideally you’ll also have:

  • Current and full driving licence.
  • A technical specialism in the field of terrestrial ecology. However, if that’s not you, but you have broad experience and ability to pick up other ecological interests quickly, we’d love to hear from you too!
  • Our Culture

    Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and diversity. We put people at the heart of our business and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

    We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected, and if we are diverse, we’re more creative. We accept people for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. This is reflected in our wide range of Global Employee Networks centred on inclusion and diversity – ACE, Careers, Enlace, Harambee, OneWorld, Prism, Women and Vetnet.

    If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please .

    Your application experience is important to us and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. We welcome feedback on our recruitment process and if you need more from us before deciding to join Jacobs then

    Our Benefits

    In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive:

  • up to 10% company contribution into their pension,
  • reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships,
  • support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations,
  • opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.
  • Wellbeing support and resources

  • free employee medical cover and digital GP service, including support for obtaining formal diagnosis for ASD, ADHD and Tourette syndrome under Private Medical Insurance
  • a mindfulness platform,
  • dedicated Workplace Support 1:1 Counselling Consultations,
  • confidential information & counselling service provided by Optum. Emotional Wellbeing Solutions is a free confidential information and counselling service available 24/7 via phone or online. Experienced consultants are available to discuss finance, legal, family matters and counselling can be provided for personal support,
  • online demand fitness platform provided by Daily Burn,
  • personalised financial planning and support provided by Origin, with 1:1 access to dedicated certified financial planners.
  • Fertility and family benefits and support:

  • enhanced parental leave pay,
  • fertility healthcare and family-forming benefit provided by Carrot. With Carrot, you can virtually chat with experts, explore educational resources, find a vetted provider, and use employer-sponsored funds to pay for care. Get support with: understanding fertility health, preservation (egg, sperm, embryo), assisted reproduction (e.g., in vitro fertilisation), adoption, gestational surrogacy, donor assistance, pregnancy, menopause, and low testosterone.
  • a free parental success solution and neurodiversity training benefit provided by RethinkCare Family. The family solution gives you and your family 24/7 access to behavioural health support tools and resources to help parents or caregivers of children raise happy, healthy and resilient children: 1:1 digital & live support – unlimited access to Board Certified Behaviour Analysts and thousands of clinically validated audio/visual trainings, including support with ADHD & developmental disabilities.
  • Bridge the Gap is our parental transition programme which aims to make Jacobs employer of choice for working parents, supporting them before, during and after the life-changing milestone of becoming a parent. Bridge the Gap supports our efforts to create an environment where we can bring our authentic selves to work and achieve our full potential.
  • Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs. We’re happy to discuss the different working patterns we offer:

  • hybrid working,
  • part-time roles,
  • flexible working hours including compressed hours (working full time hours over fewer days),
  • annualised hours contract (working a defined number of hours over a year with an estimated average weekly hour pattern), and
  • desk-based only roles.
  • #LI-NC2

    Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
    With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at .
    We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our .
    Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.
    As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

    We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

    Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via .

    J

    Contact Detail:

    Jacobs Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Senior Ecologist (UK wide)

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network with professionals in the ecology field, especially those who work at Jacobs or similar companies. Attend industry conferences and events to make connections and learn about the latest trends and projects in ecology.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Familiarise yourself with Jacobs' current projects and their approach to ecological challenges. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of their work during interviews and show how you can contribute to their goals.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Engage with Jacobs on social media platforms. Follow them, comment on their posts, and share relevant content. This can help you get noticed and show your genuine interest in the company and its mission.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Consider joining professional bodies related to ecology if you haven't already. Being a member can enhance your credibility and provide access to resources, networking opportunities, and job postings that may not be widely advertised.

    We think you need these skills to ace Senior Ecologist (UK wide)

    Terrestrial Ecology Expertise
    Protected Species Survey Experience
    Ecological Clerk of Works Knowledge
    Environmental Impact Assessment Skills
    Habitats Regulations Assessment Proficiency
    Biodiversity Net Gain Understanding
    Ecological Monitoring Programme Design
    Survey Programme Development
    Team Leadership and Management
    High-Quality Data Collection
    Outstanding Written Communication Skills
    Verbal Communication Skills
    Attention to Detail
    Personal Responsibility
    Mentoring and Training Abilities
    Collaboration and Teamwork

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in terrestrial ecology and any specific projects you've worked on that align with Jacobs' focus areas. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for ecological work and how you can contribute to Jacobs' mission. Mention specific projects or initiatives of Jacobs that resonate with you.

    Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since outstanding written and verbal skills are essential, ensure your application is free from errors and clearly communicates your ideas. Consider including examples of past presentations or reports you've delivered.

    Highlight Professional Development: Mention any memberships in professional bodies or ongoing training that demonstrates your commitment to professional growth in ecology. This aligns with Jacobs' emphasis on career development and mentorship.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs

    ✨Showcase Your Ecological Expertise

    Make sure to highlight your background in terrestrial ecology and any relevant industry experience. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving protected species surveys or Environmental Impact Assessments.

    ✨Demonstrate Communication Skills

    Jacobs values outstanding written and verbal skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, as you may need to present complex ecological concepts to clients or team members during the interview.

    ✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

    Since the role involves mentoring others and engaging with global communities, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams in the past. Highlight your willingness to learn from others and contribute to a positive team environment.

    ✨Prepare for Technical Questions

    Expect to face technical questions related to ecological monitoring programmes and biodiversity net gain. Brush up on your knowledge in these areas and be ready to discuss how you would approach designing and managing survey programmes.

    Senior Ecologist (UK wide)
    Jacobs
    Location: London
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    J
    • Senior Ecologist (UK wide)

      London
      Full-Time
      36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.)
    • J

      Jacobs

      10000+
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