Senior/ Principal Ecologist - Sussex (Brighton Office)

Join a team doing genuinely ambitious ecology work on the south coast and beyond.

About CSA

CSA Environmental is an independent, multidisciplinary consultancy of 85 people across five offices. Our Brighton team of 10 ecologists, who form part of a wider team of 50+ ecologists across the business, have built a strong reputation across the south‑east for providing clear, reliable ecological advice, and for encouraging clients to go further than the baseline. We are proud to hold the Great Place to Work certification (2026), independently awarded based on our team's own feedback. It reflects what we've always believed: that good work comes from people who feel valued, trusted and supported to grow. Our culture is built on collaboration, mutual respect and continuous learning. Our team share knowledge generously, across disciplines as well as within them. Working alongside landscape architects, heritage consultants, urban designers and arboriculturalists doesn't just make projects better – it makes ecologists better. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

About the role

Ecology is not about compliance; it’s increasingly the discipline that shapes how development land is planned, designed and valued. At CSA, we take that seriously. We actively encourage clients to look beyond mandatory requirements and to think about what genuine long‑term biodiversity improvement looks like on their sites. That ambition runs through our project work, our habitat bank schemes, and the advice we give at every project stage. As a member of the senior ecology team, you will be part of a practice that works this way by design. You will work closely with colleagues in landscape architecture, heritage, arboriculture and masterplanning, a cross‑disciplinary environment that deepens ecological knowledge and produces better outcomes for people, places and nature.

What you’ll be doing:

• Coordinating and delivering ecological inputs across all project stages, from initial assessment through to implementation and monitoring
• Leading and supporting protected species surveys and mitigation strategies
• Preparing and reviewing PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments and related reporting
• Delivering BNG assessments and contributing to habitat bank schemes — work that sits at the forefront of how the profession is evolving
• Working closely with clients, LPAs and design teams to develop balanced, proportionate solutions
• Providing technical input during concept design and planning stages
• Mentoring and supporting junior ecologists in the team
• Contributing to CSA’s reputation for high‑quality, pragmatic advice in the region

The types of projects you’ll be working on:

• Greenfield residential and mixed‑use development
• Brownfield regeneration and mineral extraction sites
• Solar and renewable energy projects
• Habitat bank schemes and biodiversity enhancement programmes
• Landscape‑scale ecological improvement projects
• Smaller, bespoke local commissions

Our portfolio provides the opportunity to gain experience across complex, multi‑stage developments and fast‑paced local work, with BNG running as a thread through much of it.

About you

We’re looking for a motivated, conscientious ecologist with a practical, solutions‑focused approach and a genuine interest in doing ecology well.

• Degree in ecology or biology (2:1 or above desirable)
• Experience in protected species and habitat surveys, including UKHab
• Good botanical skills (ideally FISC Level 3 or above)
• Sound understanding of relevant wildlife legislation
• Experience of project management and client‑facing role(s)
• Confident with MS Office and QGIS
• Well‑organised, collaborative and adaptable
• Willingness to undertake some evening surveys and occasional overnight stays
• Full UK driving licence and own vehicle (insured for business use)
• CIEEM membership (ACIEEM or above, or actively working toward it)
• Technical specialism (e.g. ornithology or botany)
• Protected species survey licences (e.g. bats, dormice or others)
• Experience with EPS licensing
• River Condition Assessor accreditation

If you don’t meet every point here but have strong foundations and transferable skills at ecologist level, we’d still like to hear from you.

What we offer:

• Permanent, full‑time contract
• Flexibility
• Hybrid working – up to 2 days per week from home
• Flexible working around core hours
• Annual profit‑related and performance bonus
• Overtime pay for out‑of‑hours survey work
• Pension contributions that increase with length of service
• Mobile phone and fieldwork clothing allowance
• 25 days annual leave (to include 3 days for Christmas shutdown) rising incrementally to 30 days over 10 years

Development and progression:

• Supported career progression – promotion from within is a genuine priority at CSA, and we invest in developing the people already in our team
• Generous CPD and external training budget
• Career development aligned with the CIEEM Competency Framework
• Paid CIEEM membership and EPS class licence fees

Team and culture:

• A supportive and friendly team, who genuinely enjoy working together
• Annual company and ecology team events, plus volunteering days
• Family‑friendly policies
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first‑aiders