Temporary Ecologist - Norwich

The Ecology Consultancy was established in 1999 and is now one of the largest dedicated consultancies owned and run by ecologists in the country. We are passionate about what we do and our staff enjoy working in a friendly and supportive environment. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work, our ability to influence scheme design for the benefit of biodiversity and enjoy working closely with our clients’ design teams.

The Ecology Consultancy has developed a sound reputation for delivering objective, high quality work to clients in the private, public and voluntary sectors and along with its sister environmental consultancy Temple, it forms part of Temple Group. Our principal areas of work are habitat and protected species surveys, watching brief and Ecological Clerk of Works, Ecological Impact Assessment, and Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM assessments, as well as providing training and advice, on a wide range of projects from major infrastructure projects such as HS2 to single dwellings and barn conversions.

We are passionate about what we do and strive to create friendly and supportive working environment and are developing a structured programme to assist staff in their career progression.

We are now seeking to expand our staff and are currently seeking to employ an experienced Ecologist on a 6 month contract for the 2018 survey season to be based in our Norwich office.

The role

The Ecologist will be involved in all areas of our work with an emphasis on preliminary ecological appraisals, protected species surveys, including bat surveys and mitigation and the production of ESPM licence applications.

The Ecologist will also be required to take on and manage individual contracts in order to deliver high quality ecological consultancy services within budget and to meet deadlines. This may involve: liaising with clients, other consultants and consultees; acquiring data from third parties; organising and supervising other Ecology Consultancy staff and sub-contractors; preparing maps and writing and editing reports. The Ecologist will also assist colleagues with the general running of the office and help with the marketing and promotion of the company.

The project-based nature of our work means that there will be a requirement to undertake such travel as is necessary to successfully carry out contracts. This may include overnight stays and, possibly, longer periods of working away from home.

Essential skills and aptitudes

• Have an appropriate degree
• Have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience
• Have excellent knowledge of UK and relevant European environmental legislation
• Be eligible for Associate Membership (or above) of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management
• Have excellent fieldwork and report writing skills
• Have experience of managing projects to time and budget
• Able to lead and co-ordinate surveys
• Hold a valid UK driving licence
• Be proactive, a self-starter and able to use own initiative when appropriate.

Desirable skills and aptitudes

• Working towards a NE survey licence for bats and be competent at Preliminary Roost Assessments, emergence / re-entry surveys, activity transects and advising on mitigation;
• Working towards a NE survey licence for great crested newts and be competent at pond surveys using traditional survey techniques and advising on mitigation;
• Be experienced at using a range of bat detectors and able to analyse sonograms accurately;
• Experience of writing ESPM licence applications.

What do we offer?

• Salary on a scale £20,000 - £26,000 depending on skills and experience.

• 25 days Annual leave (pro rata);
• Structured and generous career development and training budget (The Orchard);
• Socials, games nights, volunteering days through our staff engagement and development initiative (PASE)
• Flextime, working from home and Time Off In Lieu
• Flexible location working
• Auto enrolment pension scheme (after 3 months service).

Applications (your CV and a covering letter) should be emailed to: careers@ecologyconsultancy.co.uk or posted to The Ecology Consultancy, Tempus Wharf, 33a Bermondsey Wall West, London, SE16 4TQ. Please also make sure you are filling out the following requirements form.

Deadline for applications is Friday 2 March 2018.