At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ecological projects, manage client relationships, and deliver impactful reports.
- Company: Join a growing ecological consultancy with a focus on biodiversity and habitat monitoring.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, 33 days holiday, life assurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team where your contributions matter.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in ecology while using cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or related field and significant consultancy experience required.
Location: Chilcompton, Somerset (hybrid)
Salary: £35,000 – £42,000 depending on experience
Contract type: Permanent, full-time
Reports to: Technical Director
Closing date: 31st October 2026
About Bengrove Consult
Bengrove Consult is a specialist ecological consultancy based in Chilcompton, Somerset. We work across planning ecology, biodiversity net gain, known as BNG, and long-term habitat monitoring. Our reputation is built on technical rigour, strong botanical expertise and responsive, practical client service.
We are a small, skilled and growing team with an ambition to build one of the most technically robust habitat-monitoring practices in the South West. We take BNG seriously and believe ecological information should be genuinely useful, not simply technically compliant.
We invest in technology to collect ecological data efficiently and communicate it clearly. This includes digital field-data collection, passive acoustic monitoring, AI-assisted species identification, custom data pipelines and interactive reporting. Our aim is to give clients and land managers clear, visual and actionable information.
We are now looking for an experienced Senior Ecologist to become central to how we deliver our work.
The Role
You will be the main point of contact for clients on active projects - attending meetings, fielding technical questions, managing project timelines, and making sure work gets done on time and to a high standard. Senior leadership handles business development and strategy; your job is to own delivery.
Day to day, that means:
- Managing client communications on active projects - responsively and confidently
- Attending client meetings and providing clear technical advice
- Preparing ecology reports for planning applications - written to be read, not just filed
- Leading BNG assessments and running Biodiversity Metric 4.0 calculations
- Conducting UKHab surveys and habitat mapping
- Occasional protected species surveys
You will work alongside a data specialist who handles much of the BNG work - your focus is on client relationships and report delivery, not just GIS.
Person Specification
Essential
- Degree (or equivalent) in ecology, environmental science, biology, or a closely related discipline
- Significant ecology consultancy experience, including managing projects and client relationships
- Demonstrable experience of client-facing delivery - you have managed client relationships and are comfortable as the main contact
- Strong written communication skills: you write clearly for non-specialist readers, not just for planning officers
- Strong verbal communication: you can explain technical matters confidently to non-specialist clients and attend meetings independently
- Practical experience with BNG assessments using Biodiversity Metric 4.0
- UKHab survey experience
- GIS experience (QGIS preferred) for habitat mapping and spatial outputs
- Full, clean UK driving licence
- CIEEM membership (or working towards)
Desirable
- FISC Level 2 or above - botanical identification skills are core to our BNG monitoring work and are highly valued here
- Protected species survey licences or experience: bat survey (roost assessment / transect), dormouse (nest tube / PTES), breeding bird survey, reptile survey
- Experience with digital field data collection platforms (e.g. Coreo, ESRI Field Maps or similar)
- Experience preparing or contributing to HMMPs or long-term habitat monitoring reports
- Familiarity with EcIA methodology and planning ecology practice in England
Why Bengrove
This is an opportunity to join a small, high-performing team where your contribution will be visible and meaningful. You will work directly with the Technical Director and Operations Lead and will have genuine influence over how the company delivers its services.
You will undertake technically serious ecological work and play an important part in developing Bengrove’s BNG and habitat-monitoring practice. You will also have the opportunity to work with technology at the cutting edge of ecological monitoring, including passive acoustic monitoring, digital field tools, AI-assisted species identification, custom data pipelines and interactive reporting.
We offer:
- Genuine Hybrid working from our Chilcompton, Somerset office
- 33 days' holiday per year (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Life assurance scheme providing 4x annual salary cover
- Comprehensive income protection insurance
- Meaningful client relationships and professional development
- The opportunity to shape how a growing specialist consultancy delivers its work
Bengrove Consult is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Senior Ecologist in Chilcompton employer: Bengrove LTD
Bengrove Consult is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque Chilcompton, Somerset, offering a unique opportunity for a Senior Ecologist to join a small, high-performing team dedicated to meaningful ecological work. With a strong focus on professional development, cutting-edge technology, and genuine hybrid working arrangements, employees can expect a supportive work culture that values their contributions and fosters growth. The company also provides generous benefits, including 33 days of holiday and comprehensive insurance coverage, ensuring a rewarding and balanced work-life experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Ecologist in Chilcompton
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Ecologist in Chilcompton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Bengrove LTD.
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Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Senior Ecologist at Bengrove LTD. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Bengrove LTD
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Bengrove LTD, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
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Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
