Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Job Overview

Bennett and Game are pleased to be representing a well-established Chartered Town Planning practice seeking a Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead to join their growing team in the Cotswolds.

The practice provides a multidisciplinary service across planning, architectural design and development consultancy, supporting a varied client base with residential, commercial and rural planning applications. Due to a consistent demand for ecological services, the company is now looking to establish an in-house ecology capability.

The successful candidate will become the practice''s lead ecological professional, completing work associated with the company''s own planning applications while also delivering consultancy services directly to external clients.

This represents an excellent opportunity for an experienced Ecologist who is confident working independently and would like the autonomy to develop an ecology service within a supportive, close-knit consultancy.

The company currently employs approximately eight members of staff, including an in-house design team. As the first dedicated Ecologist within the business, the successful candidate will work closely with planners, designers, clients and external stakeholders to provide practical ecological advice from the earliest stages of a project.

The role would particularly suit an experienced Senior Ecologist who enjoys taking ownership of projects and wants to work within a smaller business where their contribution will have a visible impact. Unlike larger consultancies, the successful individual will have direct access to decision-makers, greater control over their workload and the opportunity to influence how the ecology function develops.

The office is situated at the foot of Cleeve Hill within the Cotswolds National Landscape, providing an attractive working environment for an ecological professional. Hybrid working of up to two days per week can also be offered to an individual who demonstrates the right attitude and ability to manage their workload independently.

Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Job Responsibilities

• Deliver ecological assessments and surveys associated with planning applications
• Undertake Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and prepare supporting reports
• Complete protected species surveys including bat surveys
• Support work involving great crested newts and other protected species
• Provide ecological advice to the company''s planners, designers and clients
• Identify ecological constraints and provide practical mitigation recommendations
• Prepare clear, accurate and commercially appropriate ecological reports
• Manage ecology projects from initial instruction through to completion
• Liaise directly with clients, planning authorities and relevant stakeholders
• Undertake ecological work for both internal planning projects and external consultancy clients
• Manage survey programmes and ensure work is completed within seasonal constraints
• Assist with developing the company''s ecology service and improving internal processes
• Maintain awareness of changes to ecological legislation, planning policy and industry guidance
• Work collaboratively with the wider planning and design team
• Manage a varied workload of predominantly smaller-scale ecology commissions

Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Job Requirements

• Previous professional experience working within ecological consultancy
• Ability to independently undertake ecological surveys and prepare reports
• Strong experience completing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals
• Experience undertaking bat surveys and protected species work
• Good understanding of ecology in relation to planning applications
• Knowledge of relevant UK wildlife legislation and planning policy
• Strong written communication and technical report-writing skills
• Ability to manage projects and communicate directly with clients
• Relevant degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or a related discipline
• Membership of CIEEM or another appropriate professional body would be advantageous
• Protected species survey licences would be highly advantageous
• Experience with Biodiversity Net Gain assessments would be beneficial
• Full UK driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle are essential
• Comfortable working independently as the company''s principal ecological professional

Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Salary & Benefits

• Salary of -38,000 to -45,000, dependent on experience
• 25 days'' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional day off for your birthday
• Office closure over the Christmas period, provided in addition to the standard holiday allowance
• Private healthcare
• Company pension scheme
• Hybrid working available for up to two days per week
• Company laptop
• Company mobile phone or contribution towards the cost of a personal mobile SIM
• Mileage expenses for business travel
• Attractive office location within the Cotswolds National Landscape
• Opportunity to establish and develop an in-house ecology service
• High level of autonomy and ownership over ecological projects
• Direct involvement with clients and senior decision-makers
• Supportive and close-knit multidisciplinary working environment
• Immediate opportunity available due to the current ecology survey season

Bennett and Game Recruitment are a multi-disciplined technical recruitment agency based in Chichester, West Sussex operating across the UK with specialist teams covering a range of industries.

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