Senior/Principal Ecologist | Windsor and Letchworth

We are delighted to be offering an exciting opportunity for a Senior / Principal Ecologist to join our consultancy team. We are a small, close-knit group of landscape, ecological, Arboricultural and forestry consultants.

We are looking for an experienced, qualified and ambitious Senior / Principal Ecologist who can help us to offer unparalleled ecological expertise and services to our existing high-profile clients within the commercial, public, private, utility and charity sectors, and to assist us in growing and developing the company to ever greater heights.

At Maydencroft we greatly value professional integrity, a dedicated yet flexible work ethic, and impeccable standards of quality.

As Senior / Principal Ecologist. you will be required to deliver a range of ecological consultancy services to an exceptional standard, taking projects through from inception to completion.

Although working within a team of consultants, the role will require a large degree of self-sufficiency to fully lead on and develop the ecological side of the company.

While we can offer an established portfolio of clients and opportunities, there is huge scope for growth and as such would ideally suit a candidate with great ambition and the desire to take on a challenge.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaising with clients, attending site meetings and producing quotations and costed proposals;
• Designing and specifying surveys and projects;
• Supervising and occasionally undertaking field survey work;
• Report writing and supervision for a range of ecological consultancy work including Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, protected species surveys, 
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, and Ecological Impact Assessments;
• Completing Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and strategies for a range of projects;
• Working closely with other consultants on joint projects such as Landscape Management Plans, Woodland Creation Design Plans, and Ancient Woodland Restoration Assessments;
• Line manager to a small team of Ecologists and Assistants with the responsibility of managing their work programme, providing day-to-day support, and supporting training needs.

Experience

Essential

• A degree in ecology or a related subject;
• Significant previous experience (Senior) or Extensive (Principal) relevant professional ecological experience with a consultancy background;
• Thorough working knowledge and understanding of UK and European legislation related to protected species and habitats;
• Experience of preparing Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulation Assessments;
  Experience of completing BNG calculations on a range of projects including the use of Defra’s latest metric;
• Excellent understanding of the UK planning system and experience contributing to planning applications;
  Strong field surveyor skills including extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, UKHabs, botanical and protected species surveys;
• Protected species survey licences to include at least Level 2 bat licence and Level 1 great crested newt licence;
• Ability to put together appropriately designed survey strategies, develop viable mitigation approaches, and to manage EPS mitigation licence applications from start to finish;
• Badger mitigation licence experience;
• Proven experience of line managing staff and overseeing teams of field surveyors;
• Full member of CIEEM;
• Technical proficiency using Microsoft Office;
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage project finances;
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel;

Desirable

• Chartered Ecologist or Environmentalist;
  
• Experience of being an expert witness at a planning inquiry;
  
• Experience undertaking Breeding Bird Surveys and data analysis;
  
• Technical proficiency in specialist software such as GIS and AutoCAD’?;
  
• Tree Climbing & Aerial Tree Rescue qualification.
  
• Survey licences for dormouse, otter, barn owl, and low impact class licences for bat and badger.

This is a full-time position, working Monday-Friday, All PPE and equipment provided, including the use of our fleet of vehicles. Annually increasing holiday entitlement, great company benefits, training budget and personalised development plan.

The role will require working some anti-social hours, particularly during survey season of which additional overtime payment will be offered.

The role can be based from any one of our offices in Hitchin & Letchworth Hertfordshire or Dorney, Windsor, and with the option for remote and home working.

To apply for this job email your details to careers@maydencroft.co.uk