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- Tasks: Manage exciting ecology projects and mentor junior staff while making a positive environmental impact.
- Company: Futures Ecology, a friendly consultancy focused on ecological solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, paid overtime, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive workplace with social events and a focus on work-life balance.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and contribute to meaningful ecological projects across the UK.
- Qualifications: Minimum four years of consultancy experience and expertise in ecology.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 45000 £ per year.
Futures Ecology is a small friendly consultancy started in 2019 with offices in Leeds and Bolsover. We are looking for a Senior Ecologist to be based in our Leeds office (though the Bolsover location will still be considered for the right candidate) to help with our increasing workload. Our work is primarily in the north of England but we have upcoming projects around the UK.
We are looking for an experienced candidate with a minimum of four years consultancy experience who can independently project manage small and large schemes. Ideally, the candidate will specialise in at least one of the following: badgers, bats (including tree climbing), botany or ornithology, as well being a licence holder for mitigation works or surveys.
Key Responsibilities- Project management - ensuring projects are delivered to a high quality and to required deadlines.
- Liaise and build relationships with clients, statutory bodies, and other stakeholders.
- Preparing and winning tenders / fee proposals for a range of schemes.
- Leading and designing protected species and / or habitat surveys.
- Mentoring junior members of staff.
- Writing and Quality Assuring (QA) Reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments and other technical reporting.
- Able to provide expert advice on the planning system and legislation as well as keeping up to date with any changes.
- Proactive in finding innovative solutions.
- A willingness to work flexibly and unsociable hours to meet survey requirements as and when required.
- At least four years' consultancy experience (essential)
- A degree in Ecology (or related subject) or equivalent experience (essential)
- Demonstrated success in business development and independently winning projects (essential)
- Full, clean UK driving licence with business use on your insurance policy, and access to your own transport (essential)
- Knowledge and understanding of the planning system and current legislation (essential)
- CIEEM Membership, minimum of Associate, ideally Full Membership and working towards Chartership (essential)
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with confidence to liaise with clients (essential)
- Excellent and proven project management skills (essential)
- Experience in leading and undertaking either protected species surveys or habitat surveys (essential)
- Experience in writing PEAs / EcIA's / Environmental Statement Ecology Chapters / BNG assessments (essential)
- Holder of one or more protected species survey licences or equivalent level of experience in the specialist field (e.g. FISC 4) (essential)
- Holder of a mitigation licence such as Bat Mitigation Class Licence (BMCL)
- Proficiency in QGIS / QFIELD and / or other GIS software
- Ability to work alone and as part of a team (essential)
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the business including irregular hours and travel (essential)
- Good organisational skills, proactive with a high level of motivation.
Every summer we have a large amount of survey work to undertake and everyone is expected to pitch in. We offer flexible hours and we also offer paid overtime or TOIL for hours worked on surveys over contracted hours. We do ask that you have availability for at least one evening per week (Monday to Thursday) between April and September.
Key Benefits- Our team is our most valuable asset and we want to cultivate a friendly and happy workplace whilst also ensuring that your needs are being fulfilled.
- We invest in your CPD and encourage you to be active in your profession outside of work.
- Salary between £30,000 and £45,000, dependent on experience and skills.
- Flexible working
- CPD
- Paid professional memberships and licence fees, relevant to the role
- Paid overtime or TOIL
- Pension contributions
- Annual leave
- Discretionary performance related annual bonus
- Company funded social events
- Shut down over the Christmas period
Senior Ecologist in Leeds employer: Futures Ecology
Contact Detail:
Futures Ecology Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Ecologist in Leeds
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the ecology field! Attend local events, join online forums, or even hit up social media groups. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences with project management and any specialisations you have, like badgers or bats. Let them see how you can add value to their team.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Before applying, do some homework on Futures Ecology. Understand their projects and values, then tailor your conversations to show how your skills align with their needs. This will make you stand out as a candidate who truly gets them.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Futures Ecology.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Ecologist in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Ecologist role. Highlight your consultancy experience, especially in project management and any specialisations like badgers or bats. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about ecology and how your experience aligns with our projects. Don’t forget to mention your ability to build relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since writing reports is a big part of the job, make sure to showcase your writing skills in your application. Include examples of reports you've written, like PEAs or EcIAs, to demonstrate your expertise and attention to detail.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Futures Ecology
✨Know Your Ecology Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of badgers, bats, botany, and ornithology. Be ready to discuss your experience with protected species surveys and habitat assessments, as well as any relevant legislation. This will show that you're not just qualified but genuinely passionate about the field.
✨Show Off Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of projects you've managed, highlighting how you ensured quality and met deadlines. Discuss your approach to liaising with clients and stakeholders, as this is crucial for the role. Being able to articulate your project management successes will set you apart.
✨Demonstrate Your Business Development Acumen
Since winning projects is essential, come prepared with examples of tenders or proposals you've successfully prepared. Talk about your strategies for business development and how you've contributed to your previous company's growth. This will show that you can bring value beyond just technical skills.
✨Be Ready to Mentor and Collaborate
Futures Ecology values teamwork and mentorship. Think of instances where you've mentored junior staff or collaborated effectively with a team. Highlight your communication skills and willingness to work flexible hours, as these traits are key to thriving in their friendly consultancy environment.