Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct bat surveys at various sites, recording activity and submitting reports.
- Company: ARBTECH is a leading ecology consultancy focused on wildlife surveys and environmental assessments.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive pay, and the chance to work remotely.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team, gain valuable experience, and contribute to wildlife conservation.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; ideal for ecology students or enthusiasts.
- Other info: Training provided, with opportunities to progress and earn more based on experience.
Freelance Ecologist – Bat Surveyor for Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS)
Join to apply for the Freelance Ecologist – Bat Surveyor for Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS) role at ARBTECH
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Freelance Ecologist – Bat Surveyor for Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS)
Join to apply for the Freelance Ecologist – Bat Surveyor for Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS) role at ARBTECH
- An experienced ecologist looking for freelance work?
- Looking for a straightforward, paid way to break into the ecology industry?
- Just looking for a bit of extra cash in addition to your usual job or studies?
Department: Ecology
Location: Remote
Compensation: £16.67 – £34.29 / hour
Description
Are you…
- An experienced ecologist looking for freelance work?
- Looking for a straightforward, paid way to break into the ecology industry?
- Just looking for a bit of extra cash in addition to your usual job or studies?
In 2024, around the UK, Arbtech undertook over 2000Bat Emergence and Re-
entry Surveys (BERS), and we are on track to do much more this year. Many of these surveys were undertaken with the help of our loyal team of subcontract bat surveyors and this season we’re looking for even more people to join us on our bat surveys.
Our subcontractors come from a wide variety of backgrounds, so whatever your past experience is, we’d love to hear from you.
What does it entail?
- As a freelance bat surveyor, you can work at a wide range of sites across England and Wales (and occasionally Scotland) observing and recording bat activity typically at sunset, and rarely at dawn
- A typical site visit takes roughly 2.5 hours
- We ask you to identify bats using an Echometer or similar equipment, note activity on a survey sheet and send it to our team digitally along with a write-up that evening or the next day
- We also record the surveys on infra-red cameras, and if you’re interested you can be paid to review this footage too, which can be done as remote working
- You can work as much or as little as you like – we provide you with access to our online system to sign up to the surveys only at times and places to suit you, and we’ll pay you (quickly) for each survey you conduct
Requirements:
We don’t have a ton of requirements. If you’re new to the world of bat surveying, we’ll provide you with free training material, take you shadowing and ask you to take a basic test to demonstrate you’re ready to work independently.
All we ask of you is that:
- You have a car in order to get to sites
- You bring your own bat detector (you can purchase one online which will pay for itself in just 4 surveys – any further surveys are pure profit for you) and other basic gear like a camping chair, a clipboard and warm clothing. We’ll bring the expensive stuff like IR cameras, if you don’t have your own
- You learn enthusiastically and engage with Arbtech’s streamlined workflow
- You are punctual and reliable, and consistently turn up to sites when expected – we’re a team, so we’re looking for team players that don’t let the side down
- While you don\’t need any qualifications to apply, this would be ideal work for you if you\’re doing or have done a degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Studies, Geography or similar
Pay
Pay depends on your competency level, and we have a series of online tests so that you can demonstrate that you’re ready to move up a level and earn more. If you’re brand new to bat surveying, we’ll start you at ‘assistant’ and you can work your way up. If you already have survey experience, we can offer you the surveyor or lead rates of pay from the get-go as long as you pass the online tests at the appropriate level (we provide all the training materials you need, and you don’t have to pass first time – you can have as many tries as you like).
- Assistant: £50 per survey – this is for newcomers who need support from more experienced ecologists onsite
- Surveyor: £90-£100 per survey. £100 applies if you hold a bat license or accreditation – this is for individuals who can confidently identify bats and work independently
- Lead: £120 per survey – this is for individuals who direct a survey, and are experienced enough make on-the-fly decisions about e.g. survey modification for unexpected constraints, and deal with some types of queries from clients and members of the public on the night (you will be reporting to the project manager, or PM, who has overall responsibility for the survey)
- Plus additional bonuses for doing surveys on weekends, during busy periods, or for bringing your own IR camera
- Travel: you can expense 35p per mile travelled (via the most efficient route), plus an additional 10p per mile if you car share with another surveyor
Assuming 2.5 hours on site and 1 hour travelling to and from site, a surveyor (i.e. most of our workforce) would average £25.71/hr. For a lead, it’s £34.29/hr and an assistant it’s £16.67/hr
Infra-red camera footage analysis is also available, and paid too.
Please note these rates are fixed regardless of location or (aside from expensing milage) how far you chose to travel and are the same for dusk and dawn work. We don’t customise the above rates – because these are among the most generous pay rates per survey in the industry already!
We’ll share instructions on how to claim payment for surveys once you’re onboarded, and we do payments every 2 weeks (we aim for weekly, but we guarantee it in two weeks after receipt of a correct invoice).
What\’s Next:
Successful applicants will be put onto our online survey allocation system (which opens on April 1st), and given instructions on how to set themselves up, take their tests and sign up to surveys. We begin conducting surveys on May 1st. From there, it’s up to you to find as much work as you’d like, and go out and find some bats!
We look forward to you joining us!
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Contract
Job function
-
Job function
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at ARBTECH by 2x
Sign in to set job alerts for “Ecologist” roles.
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Volunteer Community researchers for environmental charity | East London Waterworks Park
London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Greater London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Volunteer Speculative ecologists for community-led environmental charity | East London Waterworks Park
London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Examiner – GCE A Level – Biology (2016 specification)
London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Environmental Sustainability Data Scorer (Bilingual: English & Chinese)
London, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Research Scientist / Commercial Experience
London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Environmental Sustainability Data Scorer – Bilingual (English & Spanish)
London, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Examiner – International GCSE – Human Biology (2017 Specification)
London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Examiner – GCE A Level BIOLOGY SALTERS NUFFIELD (2016 Specification)
London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Examiner – International GCSE – Biology (2017 Specification)
London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Research Scientist / Commercial Experience
London, England, United Kingdom 2 months ago
Environmental Sustainability Data Scorer
London, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Volunteer Environmental community developers for creating new green and blue community spaces | East London Waterworks Park
London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Environmental Sustainability Data Scorer (Bilingual: English & Portuguese)
London, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Amersham, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Paddington, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Field Application Specialist Single Cell
Watford, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Volunteer Online British Sign Language Interpreter For Environmental Charity | East London Waterworks Park
London, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Paddington, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Volunteer Digital Fundraiser for Environmental Charity | East London Waterworks Park
London, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Freelance Ecologist – Bat Surveyor for Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS) employer: ARBTECH
Contact Detail:
ARBTECH Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Freelance Ecologist – Bat Surveyor for Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with bat species and their behaviours. Understanding the different types of bats and their activity patterns will not only help you during surveys but also impress potential employers like us at StudySmarter.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with other ecologists and professionals in the field. Attend ecology-related events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even recommend you for freelance opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Gain practical experience by volunteering for local wildlife organisations or conservation projects. This hands-on experience will enhance your skills and make you a more attractive candidate for roles like the one we have available.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest ecological research and methodologies. Being knowledgeable about current trends and techniques in bat surveying will set you apart from other candidates and show your commitment to the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Freelance Ecologist – Bat Surveyor for Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in ecology, particularly any work related to bat surveying. Include specific skills such as using bat detectors and any previous fieldwork experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for ecology and your enthusiasm for bat surveying. Mention why you want to work with Arbtech specifically and how your background makes you a great fit for the role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills that are crucial for the role, such as punctuality, reliability, and the ability to work independently. If you have experience with data collection or analysis, be sure to mention it.
Follow Application Instructions: Carefully read the application instructions provided by Arbtech. Ensure you submit all required documents and complete any online tests they may require to demonstrate your readiness for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at ARBTECH
✨Know Your Bats
Familiarise yourself with the different species of bats you might encounter during surveys. Understanding their behaviours and habitats will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Demonstrate Reliability
Since punctuality and reliability are key traits for this role, be prepared to discuss examples from your past experiences where you demonstrated these qualities. Highlight any situations where you successfully managed time-sensitive tasks.
✨Engage with Arbtech's Workflow
Research Arbtech’s workflow and be ready to discuss how you can adapt to it. Showing that you’ve taken the initiative to understand their processes will reflect positively on your commitment to the role.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about training opportunities or the types of sites you might work on. It shows your enthusiasm and willingness to learn more about the position.