At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead diverse ecology projects, manage teams, and provide expert ecological advice.
- Company: Dynamic environmental consultancy with a focus on growth and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, 33 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and contribute to exciting environmental projects across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in ecology while enjoying flexibility and career progression.
- Qualifications: Degree in Ecology or related field, with strong ecological consultancy experience.
The predicted salary is between 46500 - 50000 £ per year.
- Principal Ecologist
- Banbury, Oxfordshire - Hybrid Working
- Salary & Benefits
- Salary: £46,500 - £50,000, depending on experience
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
- 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays
- One additional day of annual leave for every three years of service, up to five additional days
- Option to carry forward up to five days of annual leave
- Option to buy or sell up to five days of annual leave per year
- 6% matched pension contributions at Principal level
- Private medical insurance after successful completion of probation
- Income protection covering 75% of salary after a qualifying period
- Life assurance of four times annual salary
- Enhanced company sick pay
- One paid volunteering day per year
- Cycle to Work Scheme up to the value of £3,000
- Comprehensive training and professional development
- Supportive social, wellbeing and employee network groups
- Excellent opportunities for progression within a growing environmental consultancy
- Job Overview
- Lead and manage a diverse range of terrestrial ecology projects from initial enquiry through to completion
- Prepare fee proposals, project scopes, budgets and delivery programmes
- Plan and oversee ecological field surveys and survey teams
- Undertake and review UK Habitat Classification and Phase 1 Habitat Surveys
- Manage protected species surveys, mitigation strategies and licensing work
- Analyse ecological data and provide technically robust advice to clients
- Produce and review high-quality technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and protected species reports
- Proofread and provide technical oversight of reports produced by other members of the team
- Manage project budgets, timescales and resources
- Liaise directly with clients, planning authorities, statutory bodies and other project stakeholders
- Support, mentor and develop junior and intermediate members of the ecology team
- Work collaboratively with specialists across a range of environmental disciplines
- Contribute to the continued development and growth of the ecology team
- Undertake occasional travel across the UK, including overnight stays where required
- Job Requirements
- Degree or postgraduate qualification in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline
- Minimum of four years of relevant professional experience within ecological consultancy, the public sector, a conservation organization or a closely related environment
- Strong knowledge of UK habitats, botanical identification and protected species
- Extensive experience undertaking Phase 1 Habitat Surveys and/or UK Habitat Classification Surveys
- Comprehensive experience undertaking protected species surveys
- Experience developing and implementing protected species mitigation strategies
- Holder of at least one protected species survey licence
- Strong experience producing ecological reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and protected species reports
- Ability to review and proofread technical work produced by colleagues
- Previous project management experience including responsibility for budgets, programmes and resources
- Experience leading, mentoring or supporting junior members of staff
- Strong client management and stakeholder communication skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects
- Willingness to travel across the UK when required
- Full UK driving licence
Contact Details:
Bennett and Game Recruitment Recruitment Team
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Ecologist in Banbury
Project Management
Ecological Field Surveys
UK Habitat Classification
Phase 1 Habitat Surveys
Protected Species Surveys
Mitigation Strategies
Technical Report Writing
