Senior Ecologist (Sheffield)

We are looking for a Senior Ecologist to join our Sheffield Office and lead ecological work from this location. Appointments at Principal level, or Consultant Ecologist level, will also be considered. We’re seeking an enthusiastic and passionate ecologist who wants to play a key role in establishing and growing a small team of ecologists in Sheffield, supported by our wider ecology team. This role would suit a confident and ambitious ecologist seeking a pathway for rapid career progression.

As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, you will also have the opportunity to work with other disciplines, developing a broader understanding of planning and development to deliver great outcomes for people and nature. At our central Sheffield Office, you will be working alongside a small team of landscape and masterplanning colleagues.

Our variety of projects and clients provides a diverse and interesting range of work. You will have opportunities to be involved from the strategic planning phase of projects through to implementation. You will be coordinating and delivering high-quality work and helping to appoint and develop junior members of the team. As a senior team member, you will also have an important client facing role. You will be technically accomplished and will coordinate and/or lead protected species surveys, prepare and/or oversee PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments, mitigation strategies and more.

• We are looking for friendly, highly motivated and conscientious individuals, who demonstrate a passion and enthusiasm for ecology.
• Protected species survey experience, including personal species survey licences.
• Habitat survey experience (including UKHab) and sound botanical skills.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation.
• Excellent written English and verbal communication skills.
• Skilled with MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and QGIS.
• Hard-working and willing to take on new challenges.
• Highly organised, able to multi-task and a strong team player who works well with others.
• Forward thinking, with a keen interest in staying up to date with the latest survey techniques, guidance and innovations.
• Willingness to undertake a reasonable share of night-time surveys (typically one or two per week during the main survey season), including occasional overnight stays (accommodation and subsistence paid).
• Full, clean UK driving licence, with own car insured for business use.
• Membership of CIEEM (ACIEEM or above).
• Strong technical specialism (e.g. bat, ornithological or botanical skills).
• A Level 2 bat licence.
• FISC level 3 or above.

A healthy work-life balance is very important to us and we seek to provide a supportive, friendly and attractive place to work. In addition, we offer an exciting benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary (Senior Ecologist typically at £35,000 – £43,000 per annum).
• A permanent, full-time contract.
• Hybrid working, with the option to work from home up to 2 days a week.
• Flexible working around core hours.
• Annual profit related and performance-based bonus scheme.
• Overtime pay arrangement for out-of-hours survey work.
• 25 days annual leave (3 days to be taken during our winter shutdown), increasing to 30 days with length of service.
• Company pension contribution, which increases with length of service.
• Annual staff trip and team social events.
• Annual Company and Ecology Team Days, with internal and external speakers.
• Mobile phone and field work clothing allowance.
• Commitment to continued professional development, including a generous training allowance for external training courses targeted at your areas of interest and development.
• Paid subscription to CIEEM/protected species licence fees.
• Commitment to employee wellbeing, including access to our Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first-aiders.

We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity and welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds. We aim to create an environment in which individual differences and their contributions are recognised and valued.