At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ecological surveys and manage multi-disciplinary projects while mentoring junior ecologists.
- Company: An established employee-owned environmental consultancy with over 300 staff, based in Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy a profit share scheme, life assurance, and 25 days of holiday plus public holidays.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a minimum of two office days per week.
- Why this job: Shape ecological strategy on major renewable energy projects and landscape restoration initiatives.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of UK wildlife and experience with PEA and EcIA reports required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 47000 £ per year.
An established, employee-owned UK environmental consultancy – now over 300 people strong – is expanding its Scottish ecology team and seeking a Principal Ecological Consultant to take a leading role across a diverse and growing project portfolio. This is a chance to shape ecological strategy on major renewable energy and grid infrastructure schemes while contributing to some of Scotland’s most ambitious landscape‑scale restoration initiatives.
Role Overview
- Lead and manage ecological surveys and field programmes across a wide range of habitats
- Oversee complex, multi-disciplinary projects and act as a primary client contact
- Provide senior technical review of ecological assessments, reports and deliverables
- Mentor and support junior and mid‑level ecologists
- Prepare tenders, fee proposals and contribute to business development
- Collaborate closely with specialists in ecology, arboriculture, agri‑environment, landscape, planning, heritage, GIS and visualisation
Project Portfolio
- Onshore renewable energy schemes – primarily wind, with growing involvement in hydrogen, battery storage and solar
- Long‑standing support to Scotland’s electricity transmission and distribution networks across multiple operators
- Community infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, defence‑estate modernisation and public facilities
- Climate‑mitigation and flood‑resilience projects
- Strategic ecology and landscape‑scale restoration with national parks, local authorities, estates, major landowners and environmental NGOs
- Biodiversity restoration and rewilding programmes with long‑term conservation clients and progressive land‑management organisations
- Ecological input to Local Authority development planning, including LNCS reviews and evidence‑base studies
Working Arrangements
- Edinburgh or Glasgow office
- Hybrid working: minimum two days per week in the office
- Full‑time (37.5 hours) with flexible working options
Benefits
- Employee‑ownership profit share (up to £3.6k annually, tax‑free)
- Life assurance at 4× salary
- 25 days’ holiday plus 10 public holidays (with buy/sell options)
- Group Income Protection
- Annual salary review
- Paid volunteering day
Requirements
- Strong understanding of UK wildlife, survey methods and ecological principles
- Solid knowledge of UK conservation legislation and Scottish planning systems
- Experience delivering and reviewing PEA, protected species and EcIA reports
- Confident client engagement and project‑management skills
- Full UK driving licence
- Willingness to travel and occasionally work outside standard hours
Principal Ecologist employer: Eden Scott
Join a leading employee-owned environmental consultancy located in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Benefit from a profit-sharing scheme and contribute to significant ecological projects across Scotland, including renewable energy and biodiversity restoration efforts.
