Assistant Ecologists | Hertfordshire, Sussex, Hampshire and Gloucestershire

Overview

CSA is a multi-disciplinary consultancy with six office locations, including rural and city centre locations. We are recruiting for Assistant Ecologists to join our Ashwell (Hertfordshire), Brighton (East Sussex), Basingstoke (Hampshire) and Tewkesbury (Gloucestershire) teams.

We work with a range of clients, including some of the largest housebuilders in the UK, as well as conservation bodies, councils, infrastructure providers and private landowners (including habitat bank development and small private projects).

As an enthusiastic and passionate member of the team, you will help play a key role in maintaining high standards and delivering quality work for our valued clients. You will help promote our culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, where individuals from a range of backgrounds are encouraged to develop their skills and careers within the company. When you join CSA, you’ll join a network of professionals, helping to shape a more sustainable future. CSA have recently been awarded ‘Great Places to Work’ certification with the additional accolades of ‘Best Workplace in Consulting & Professional Services’ and ‘Best Workplaces for Women’.

Our experienced staff have exceptional technical expertise and as a multi-disciplinary consultancy, you will have the opportunity to work with landscape, master planning and heritage colleagues to develop a broader understanding of planning and development, as well as with a close, friendly and inspiring team of experienced ecological colleagues. Reflecting the high-quality ecological services that CSA deliver, we are a Registered Practice with CIEEM.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Joining our busy and expanding team (>30 ecologists across all offices), you will have a fantastic opportunity to learn and to develop your skills. No two days are the same at CSA, with our variety of projects and clients offering diverse tasks and opportunities. Alongside assisting more senior members of the team, your key roles and day-to-day tasks are likely to include:

• Assisting with UK Habitat Classification surveys and protected species surveys for a range of species, including badgers, bats, dormice, otter, water vole, birds, reptiles and great crested newts, amongst others.
• Assisting and coordinating survey work, including preparation and maintenance of latest survey equipment and technology (e.g. infra-red cameras, bat detectors).
• Completing desktop studies, obtaining and interpreting biological records and reviewing online mapping/data sources.
• Use of QGIS and other graphics packages to prepare high quality technical drawings such as Habitats Plans and Biodiversity Enhancement Plans and to measure habitat areas for use with the Biodiversity Net Gain metric.
• Assist with the preparation of technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments, protected species survey reports, mitigation strategies, Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans and more.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for friendly, highly motivated, conscientious individuals, who demonstrate a passion and enthusiasm for ecology and consultancy. You must also be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Essential

• Relevant ecology / biology degree (preferably 2:1 or above)
• Interest in UK based ecology and knowledge of wildlife legislation
• Evidence of developing ecological field skills
• Excellent written English and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint)
• Hard-working and willing to take on new challenges
• Physical fitness and a willingness to work outside in all weather, when required
• Highly organised, able to multi-task and a strong team player
• Forward thinking, with a keen interest in staying up to date with the latest survey techniques, guidance and innovations
• Willingness to undertake 2-3 night-time surveys per week during the peak survey season, including overnight stays (accommodation and subsistence paid)
• Full UK driving licence and own car insured for business use

Desirable

• Protected species / habitat survey experience, possibly with an area of specialism
• Interested in and/or working towards protected species survey licences
• Experience of using QGIS or other GIS packages
• Membership of / eligibility to join relevant professional body

WHAT WE OFFER

In the first instance, we are offering a nine month full-time contract, with the opportunity for this to become permanent if all goes well. Salary: £24,000 – £27,000, per annum.

At CSA, a healthy work-life balance is very important to us. As well as a competitive salary, we offer an exciting benefits package, including:

• Hybrid working available, with the option to work from home up to 2 days a week (following completion of probationary period)
• Flexible working around core hours
• Annual profit related and performance-based bonus scheme (for permanent staff)
• Overtime pay arrangement for out-of-hours survey work
• 25 days annual leave per annum with allowance increasing with length of service
• Company pension contribution which increases with length of service
• Annual staff trip and regular funded team social events
• Annual ‘CSA Ecology Team Day’ with internal and external speakers
• Laptop for hybrid working and mobile phone allowance
• Extensive internal training program for assistant ecologists, and direct mentoring by a senior member of the team
• Commitment to continued professional development, including a generous training allowance for external training courses targeted at your own areas of interest and development
• Opportunities to explore ecological specialism, if desired
• Paid subscription to CIEEM and protected species licence fees
• A strong commitment to employee wellbeing, including access to an extensive Employee Assistance Programme and in-house mental health first-aiders

CSA Environmental is a carbon neutral company, dedicated  to offsetting our carbon footprint. CSA is also committed to encouraging equality and diversity amongst its staff and we welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds. We aim to create an environment in which individual differences and their contributions are recognised and valued.

To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter to Helen Nutter (helen.nutter@csaenvironmental.co.uk) stating which office(s) you are interested in. Please quote ‘EcologyJobs’ so we know where you saw the job advert.

First interviews will be held via Teams in December 2023, with an opportunity to then visit the office at the second interview stage. There is flexibility with respect to the actual job commencement date, but we hope this will be in February 2024.