Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead ecological projects, manage budgets, and mentor junior staff while conducting fieldwork.
  • Company: Join Wessex Ecology, a leading independent ecological consultancy in southern England and Wales.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development budget, private medical insurance, and generous holiday entitlement.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a profit-related bonus after 12 months.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity while working with a passionate team in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years of consultancy experience, CIEEM membership, and strong report-writing skills required.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

We're looking for a Senior Ecologist or experienced Ecologist ready to step up who is seeking a varied workload to join our independent ecological consultancy. You'll lead ecological projects from inception to completion, manage and mentor junior staff, and serve as a trusted point of contact for clients. This is a hands-on role combining fieldwork, report writing, and project management.

Wessex Ecology is an independent ecological consultancy providing expert advice to developers, landowners, and public-sector clients across southern England and Wales. Our client base includes householders, architects, house builders, water utilities, rural agents and government agencies.

Key responsibilities:
  • Lead and deliver Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, EcIA and EIA chapters, and protected species surveys
  • Manage project budgets, timelines, and client relationships
  • Provide technical QA and sign-off on survey reports and mitigation strategies
  • Mentor and supervise junior team members
  • Maintain and develop client accounts
  • Contribute to tenders and fee proposals
About YouEssential:
  • Minimum 5 years' post-graduate consultancy experience
  • Full membership of CIEEM (MCIEEM)
  • Confident with BNG assessments and biodiversity metric calculations
  • Holding or close to achieving a minimum two protected species survey licences (e.g., great crested newt, bat, dormouse)
  • Competence in GIS (QGIS)
  • Strong report-writing and communication skills
  • Full UK driving licence
Desirable:
  • Additional survey licences (e.g., rare reptile, barn owl, white-clawed crayfish)
  • FISC level 4
  • Track record of preparing project mitigation licences
  • Track record of business development or client acquisition

Contract: Permanent

Office location: Aylesbury/Oxford/Bristol

Salary: £30,000 - £40,000/annum depending on experience

Hours: 40/week (between May & September these hours worked Monday to Thursday)

Holiday entitlement: 224 statutory holiday hours/year (equivalent to 28 eight hour days). This includes public holidays. In addition to statutory holidays we offer a further 40 hours/year (equivalent to 5 eight hour days).

Benefits:
  • One professional membership paid
  • All work-related expenses paid
  • NEST pension after 3 months
  • After 12 months you will receive a profit related bonus
  • Personal training budget of £1000/year
  • Use of Company van for work
  • Private medical insurance
  • Death in service benefit

If you are interested in the role, or to learn more about us and our business please email.

Strictly no agencies.

Senior Ecologist employer: Wessex Ecology Ltd

Wessex Ecology is an exceptional employer for those passionate about ecological consultancy, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead impactful projects across southern England and Wales. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide generous benefits including a personal training budget, private medical insurance, and a profit-related bonus, all within a supportive culture that values mentorship and collaboration. Join us in Aylesbury, Oxford, or Bristol, and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in biodiversity and conservation.
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Contact Detail:

Wessex Ecology Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Ecologist

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the ecological field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best work, including reports, project summaries, and any successful surveys you've led. This will give potential employers a clear idea of what you can bring to the table.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in areas like BNG assessments and biodiversity metrics. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Ecologist

Ecological Project Management
Fieldwork
Report Writing
Client Relationship Management
Technical Quality Assurance
Mentoring and Supervision
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments
Biodiversity Metric Calculations
Protected Species Survey Licences
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Communication Skills
Business Development
Client Acquisition

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your 5+ years of consultancy experience in your application. We want to see how you've led projects and managed teams, so don’t hold back on those details!

Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Mention specific skills like BNG assessments and report writing that match what we're looking for. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Use bullet points if it helps convey your experience better!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Wessex Ecology Ltd

✨Know Your Ecology Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your ecological knowledge, especially around BNG assessments and biodiversity metrics. Be ready to discuss your experience with protected species surveys and how you've applied your skills in real-world scenarios.

✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills

Prepare examples of projects you've led from start to finish. Highlight how you managed budgets, timelines, and client relationships. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.

✨Be Ready to Mentor

Since mentoring junior staff is a key part of the job, think about your past experiences in guiding others. Share specific instances where you’ve helped develop team members' skills or contributed to their success.

✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Strong report-writing and communication skills are essential. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, and be prepared to discuss how you’ve communicated complex ecological concepts to clients or stakeholders in the past.

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