Senior Ecologist in Bury St Edmunds

Our Ecology business is highly successful and as part of our ongoing plans to develop our teams, we are looking to appoint experienced Ecologists. We are happy to consider applications from senior field ecologists who are looking to expand on proven report-writing skills and develop further into project management. Moreover, we are also open to more senior candidates with a greater focus on business development and client management – the role can be adapted to the right candidate.

SLR has a team of approximately 200 ecologists distributed across the UK and Ireland. Our experienced consultants provide expert advice on ecological and environmental issues affecting a broad range of habitats and protected species. Licensed members of our team can deal with great crested newts, bats, badgers, dormice and reptiles. We’re proud of our strong working relationships with Natural England, the Wildlife Trust, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage.

The ecology team works alongside several other environmental professionals within the Firm, including planners, archaeologists, arboriculturists, landscape architects and engineers.

Project work will be varied, and there will be a strong focus on renewable energy, infrastructure and residential schemes as well as other commercial development projects.

• Managing ecological projects (commensurate with experience), assisting team leads with managing resource allocation and financial budgets, addressing any client feedback and ensuring effective communications on all projects.
• Producing and overseeing the production of ecological appraisals, reports, licence applications, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, EPS licences and other similar documents.
• Mentoring junior team members.
• Carrying out ecological surveys, where necessary, and checking that surveys are being carried out to the required standards by all staff.
• Assist the team leads with the preparation of fee proposals.

SLR are global leaders in Sustainability Solutions, helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We are a consultancy with 4000+ employees across 6 regions in over 125 countries. Our ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development. Along with competitive salaries, our staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension plus excellent healthcare offering, travel and life insurance and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression. Alongside 25 day’s annual leave, with additional flexible bank holidays, we offer flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, with family friendly policies help balance the needs of professional and home life.

You will have demonstrable experience in a range of different areas of ecological consultancy practice, and would be able to lead and mentor others within the team. You should be able to demonstrate competence in ecological surveying.

• A good level of both academic and professional qualifications in ecology or a related discipline.
• Experience of managing ecological projects to completion and reporting to the standards required by planning authorities, Natural Resources Wales and other similar bodies.
• Experience of making licence applications and holds at least 1 Protected Species licence. A bat licence would be advantageous.
• Experience of preparing a wide range of technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, ES Chapters, Habitat Regulations Assessments and other technical reports.
• Experience of applying for Natural Resources Wales/Natural England mitigation licences.
• Good knowledge of relevant UK and European legislation, policy and guidance.
• Qualifying Member’ status, or higher, of CIEEM.
• A full UK driving licence essential and access to own car is essential.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional C&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all people regardless of their background can thrive. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently under-represented at SLR, such as people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups, women, and people with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent. Should you require any special adjustments throughout the recruitment process with us, please let us know. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we seek to ensure all applicants have equitable support when applying to SLR.