Senior/Principal Ecologist in Sheffield

Your new company is one of the UK’s leading Ecology practices working extensively throughout the UK. Over the last 60 years, the consultancy has developed a valuable mix of multi-disciplinary expertise in masterplanning, environmental assessment, urban design, landscape, ecology, architecture, arboriculture, and green infrastructure. With their head office in a rural area of Derbyshire, you will be working in a beautiful manor house, surrounded by attractive grounds including a mature garden, pond, and various species of fauna and flora, an ecological haven! They also have regional offices in Exeter, Dorset, Greater London, Sheffield, and York.

Their directors all joined in junior positions and are now very involved with public enquiries and expert witness work due to their high success rate, backed by their ecological knowledge and reputation. As an employee-owned business, all of their staff share in the success of the business.

Your new role involves working on a diverse range of projects, small and large, ranging from single dwellings taking a day to huge sustainable developments taking 10 years. The best part is that you will have a choice in the kind of projects you will be working on and how you develop your career. Their work is mainly from the residential, renewables, and minerals & waste industries. They host protected species, BNG and botanical specialists, project and people managers, allowing you to drive your career forward however you wish.

You will play a pivotal role in leading and delivering high-quality ecological assessments, surveys, and mitigation strategies, whilst collaborating with a large team of ecologists (circa 60 in Derby and 120 UK-wide), landscape architects, arboriculturists, and environmental planners.

What you’ll need to succeed:

• At least a degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• A proven track record in managing and delivering ecological projects and meeting deadlines, including for small to large scale and complex sites.
• Experience in ecological consultancy, with a strong focus on conducting surveys, assessments, preparing a range of ecological reports, and the project management of jobs.
• Sound knowledge of UK ecology legislation, guidelines, and best practice.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experienced in advising clients on Biodiversity Net Gain, understanding and use of the DEFRA Statutory Biodiversity Metric and production of associated reports and plans.
• You may have a particular ecological specialism or hold a protected species licence/s, but a generalist background is welcomed.
• Membership or eligibility for membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIEEM).
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

What you’ll get in return:

• Holiday and pension plans.
• Flexible/hybrid working with tailored plans including compressed hours and 4-day pro rata weeks.
• 1:1 TOIL scheme.
• Employee-owned tax-free bonus (discretionary).
• 35 hour week!
• Regionally focused site work.
• Some of the most specialist individuals the industry can offer give in-house continuous training and CPD, as well as funded external CPD.
• Professional membership subscriptions.
• Death in service scheme.
• Health cash plan and smart health scheme.
• Cycle to work.
• In Derby: Free parking, on-site shop and canteen with hot food, beautiful building and surrounding grounds.