Principal Ecologist

ECOSA are pleased to be seeking a Principal Ecologist to join us at our head office in rural Hampshire.

As a key member of the team you will take responsibility for project managing large scale, complex and non-standard projects. This will include day to day project management, preparing deliverables (e.g. Preliminary Ecological Appraisals. Ecological Impact Assessment, ES Chapters, BNG Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments) and taking a lead on Quality Assurance of deliverables prepared by others. You will use your expertise to provide high quality advice to key clients and design and support the delivery of mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures. You will also have responsibility for managing client relationships and playing a key role in the growth of the business.

You would also form part of the company’s management team. This would involve taking responsibility for line managing a team of ecologists, assisting in the development of members of staff in your team and contributing to wider company development. This role represents a rare opportunity to genuinely influence the operational and technical direction of the company.

This role is offered as full-time and permanent. Part-time or flexible working options would be considered for the right candidate.

About You

You will have a minimum of eight years relevant experience gained in ecological consultancy, local authority or other similar environment.

The ideal candidate will have extensive ecological experience, be customer focussed, detail orientated and a skilled communicator with excellent verbal and written skills. You will be able to manage client expectations and meet deadlines, and be experienced in and comfortable project managing large scale, complex and non-standard projects. You would also be able to demonstrate excellent problem solving skills to meet the challenges posed by our clients and the business as a whole.

You will carry out a range of field surveys, including UK Habitat Classification and protected species surveys, alongside day-to-day office-based work such as client and regulatory authority liaison, managing surveyor teams, report writing and budget management.

You will work on a range of ecological deliverables and be involved in the quality assurance of documents prepared by others.

You will have experience in managing a team and providing input into the development and operational activities of a team.

ECOSA strive for excellence and you will use your expertise to contribute directly to the growth and reputation of the company.

To be successful in this role, you will have the following:

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Full CIEEM membership;
• Degree in a relevant subject;
• Hold at least two Natural England / Natural Resources Wales protected species class licence;
• Minimum of eight years post-qualification experience in an ecologically focussed role, preferably in ecological consultancy;
• Experience in independently managing large-scale ecological projects, preferably significant multi-phased residential development projects;
• 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 in Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments and designing Biodiversity Net Gain solutions;
• Experience of applying for Natural England mitigation licences and having acted as a Named Ecologist on licences for at least one species;
• Experience in undertaking technical quality assurance of deliverables;
• Experience in preparing tenders and budgets and actively developing client relationships and securing new business;
• Excellent knowledge of relevant UK and European legislation, policy and guidance;
• Line Management experience of junior staff, including experience in managing workloads of others and contributing towards wider technical development of a team;
• Be a team player with exceptional verbal and written communications skills, including experience of attending client meetings and stakeaholder engagement;
• Sound MS Outlook, Word and Excel skills;
• A full driving licence; and
• Legal entitlement to work in the UK.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in leading on or being involved with the recruitment of staff;
• Experience in developing policy and business strategy;
• Chartered Ecologist;
• Botanical Survey Skills;
• Ornithological survey skills; and / or
• Other qualifications such as tree climbing and aerial rescue.

What ECOSA can offer you

ECOSA has a dedicated team of ecologists who are committed to the success of the business. We are therefore committed to the development of our staff and as part of the team you will have access to:

• A competitive salary in the range of £40,000 – £60,000 based on a 40 hour working week depending on experience;
• 25 day annual leave in addition to bank holidays, with additional days accrued following five years of service;
• Access to the company healthcare scheme;
• Genuine opportunity to shape the operational and technical direction of the company;
• Flexible hours over the summer months with the opportunity to accrue either TOIL or paid overtime;
• Flexibility to work from home with prior agreement;
• A generous structured training budget and regular in-house training;
• An extensive support network within the company to provide guidance and specialist advice;
• A relaxed office environment;
• Regular social events and yearly charity days; and
• A rural office location with free car parking, a large garden, wildlife ponds and lunch area.

ECOSA are committed to providing a safe and supportive working environment where all of our staff can thrive and actively encourage input from staff and contributions from the team on the direction of the company. We provide all of our staff with a contributory pension.

How to Apply

Please email your Curriculum Vitae, ensuring to highlight all relevant knowledge, experience and skills, and a covering letter providing evidence of how you meet the above requirements, for the attention of Alice Pemberton, Office Manager at admin@ecosa.co.uk.

Please let us know how you found out about this vacancy and title your email in the subject line clearly as ‘Principal Ecologist Vacancy’.

If you would like to informally discuss this role, please contact Simon Colenutt, Managing Principal Ecologist (simon@ecosa.co.uk) in the first instance.

Closing date for applications is 28^th February 2023. Provisional interview dates w/c 6^th March 2023.

Please note ecologist roles are only open to direct applicants; applications from recruitment agencies will not be considered.