Senior Ecologist Knaresborough, Milton Keynes, Reading

Smeeden Foreman is a highly reputable team of consultants celebrating 30 years of practice in Landscape Architecture, Ecology and Arboriculture. As part of the Harris Group, we have offices located across the UK and undertake a broad range of work within a multidisciplinary environmental practice. We are recruiting for Senior Ecologists to reinforce our teams in Harrogate and expand our presence through the south of England.

To develop our base around Harrogate, you will join our established team in Knaresborough where we have a thriving office environment with ample parking in close proximity to open countryside and you will work closely with our other senior staff whilst supporting our junior ecologists. We are also offering an exciting new opportunity for the right candidate to support our expansion in the south of England. You could be based in either our Milton Keynes or Reading office, both in close proximity to open countryside and local facilities. Here there is an opportunity to assist in developing a new Ecology team whilst working alongside the senior management and our other Principal Ecologists within the business. You will also be assisting with developing and supporting newly established junior staff to create a team environment.

For both positions, we are looking for a higher level of experience from Senior to Principal levels. If you hold class licences for bats, dormice and herpetofauna this would be beneficial, including knowledge of mitigation and previous successful submission of development licences for these species, although candidates nearing this level of experience would be considered. Experience of preparation of Ecological Impact Assessments/Ecology Chapters for use within Environmental Impact Assessments would also be an advantage.

As the successful candidate for either role you will:

• Be qualified to degree level or equivalent in ecology or a related discipline.
• Hold protected species licences, with experience of development licence application and supervision an advantage.
• Ideally hold Full membership of CIEEM.
• Be self-motivated and organised with an ability to communicate effectively, including management/mentoring of junior staff as part of a team.

Key requirements:

• An excellent working knowledge of wildlife legislation and the planning process, habitat and protected species surveying.
• Strong botanical skills and experience using UKHABs.
• A thorough understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain assessments with a competent handle on use of the Defra Metric, liaising with clients, their design teams and local planning authorities.
• Demonstrated experience of project management and proficient technical report writing skills.
• Competent IT skills, ideally including use of QGIS mapping and bat call analysis software.
• Preparation and review of fee proposals to existing and prospective clients.
• Knowledge of risk assessments and health and safety.

A full UK driving licence is essential. We offer a competitive salary based on experience, flexible options for Hybrid Working, annual training opportunities, a TOIL scheme to cover survey work, annual professional membership subscription to CIEEM, a workplace pension scheme, team activity days and a friendly office environment. Our office in Harrogate also offers the added benefits of being dog-friendly, with a nursery in easy walking distance and local amenities a short drive away.

If you would like an informal chat please call Maria Gill on 01423 863369 or send your CV.