Senior and Principal Ecologist

Are you looking for a new opportunity and a chance to advance in your chosen career? Do you want to work on a variety of exciting projects that balance wildlife conservation with development? If so, we would love to hear from you! We are currently looking for a Senior Ecologist and a Principal Ecologist to join our team.

At Lakeway Ecological Consultancy, we are a small but growing wildlife-focused ecological consultancy based in the heart of Devon. Due to our continued success, we are looking for passionate and skilled Senior staff to join our team.

Why Join Us?

• Career Growth: A fantastic opportunity to develop your consultancy career.
• Diverse Projects: Work on everything from small-scale developments to large conservation and monitoring projects.
• Flexible Working: Office-based in Okehampton, with hybrid or remote working options considered.
• Work-Life Balance: TOIL policy in place to support a healthy work schedule.

The roles entail:

• Working alongside our Directors to ensure that a high-quality service is delivered to our clients.
• Client liaison and development of client relationships.
• Managing a wide range of projects from start to finish.
• Technical reporting including PEA, EcIA, BNG reporting, HRA and phosphate assessments.
• Mentoring our team of ecologists through training, development, support and advice.
• Line management of junior staff.
• Peer review of documents as part of our Quality Assurance process.

Who We Are Looking For

Essential:

• A degree in Ecology or related subject and substantial experience of working within a consultancy / nature conservation sector (5 years experience for Principal Ecologist).
• In-depth knowledge of ecology, legislation and survey techniques across a range of species (Principal Ecologist).
• Ability to think outside the box and deliver solutions.
• Experience with UKHab, BNG Assessments, protected species surveys & mitigation.
• Strong communication skills, including liaising with Natural England, County Ecologists & Local Authorities.
• CIEEM Membership.
• A full UK driving licence (or alternative means to travel to remote survey sites).

Desirable:

• FISC Level 4 or equivalent botanical skills.
• Experience mentoring or managing staff.
• Experience conducting HRA assessments.
• Protected species survey or mitigation licences.

What We Offer

• Salary: £33,000 – £40,000 Senior Ecologist, £40,000 - £46,000 Principal Ecologist.
• Full-time (37.5 hrs) or Part-time (min. 3 days/week).
• Holidays: 20 days + bank holidays + birthday off + Christmas shutdown (minimum 33 days total).
• Training & Development: Access to external and in-house training.
• Professional Membership Fees Covered (CIEEM, licences, vaccinations).
• Attendance at a UK conference of your choice each year.
• Pension Contribution: 5% employer contribution.
• Toil policy to ensure work life balance maintained, with restricted anti-social hours surveys for senior staff (currently Ecologist level average no more than 2 per week).
• Health benefits scheme membership.

How to apply

Send your CV and a covering letter (max 2 pages) detailing how you meet the role requirements to applications@lakeway-ecological.co.uk.

Questions? Call us on 01837 218016. We aim to acknowledge receipt of all applications within five working days. This opportunity will close as soon as the role is filled.