Senior Ecologist

About the job

Are you an experienced ecologist ready to take your career to the next level or a senior ecologist looking for a new challenge? Love the balance of fieldwork, leadership, and delivering high-quality ecological consultancy service? Let's talk!

Company Description

Richard Green Ecology Ltd, located near Exeter, Devon, provides ecological consultancy services in the South West and nationwide. The services include bat surveys, protected species surveys, habitat surveys, ecological impact assessments, and European protected species licence applications.

We provide expertise and best value through sustainable solutions for clients, where society and the natural environment are respected and enhanced.

• We strive to minimise our, and our clients’ negative impact on the environment and to promote environmental net gain.
• We aim to respect people inside and outside our company.
• We value staff that are ambitious and who want to grow as people and as professionals.
• We endeavour to be industry leading professionals, providing the best service we can whilst maintaining our professional values – we want to be the best at what we do.
• We believe in being accountable.
• We are passionate about wildlife and the environment – it’s why we do this job.
• We have integrity and are consistently open, honest, ethical and genuine.
• We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Join the team at Richard Green Ecology and make an impact!

Role Description

You will lead on exciting projects, mentor our growing team, and work directly with clients to create meaningful change for biodiversity. From designing surveys and managing projects to supporting Biodiversity Net Gain initiatives, you’ll play a key role in shaping our work.

This is a full-time hybrid role for a Senior Ecologist. The Senior Ecologist will be responsible for conducting wildlife/botany/habitat surveys, writing reports, biodiversity net gain calculations, performing field work, such as ecological watching briefs, and assessing environmental impacts, as well as project management, developing client relationships, mentoring junior staff and contributing to the direction and management of the business. The position is based in Woodbury Salterton, with flexibility for some remote work.

What We are Looking For

We are looking for someone with at least 4 years of experience in a similar role, a strong background in UK wildlife legislation, preliminary ecological appraisals, protected species surveys, and mitigation. You’ll thrive on teamwork, lead by example, and have a genuine passion for wildlife, problem-solving, and delivering excellent client service. Ideally, you should have class licences from Natural England for protected species, such as bats and dormice, and achieved at least a level 3 Field Identification Skills Certificate, as well as:

• Wildlife, Habitat and Botany Identification and Ecology skills
• Report Writing skills
• Field Work experience
• Knowledge of Environmental/Ecological Impact Assessment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Experience in ecological consultancy
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field
• CIEEM (or equivalent) professional membership

What We Offer

We offer a competitive salary of £32,000–£46,000 (experience dependent), based on 37.5 hours per week.

Other benefits include:

• Access to private healthcare after successfully completing your probationary period. Additional unsocial hours pay. Use of pooled company vehicles.
• Payment of one professional membership subscription, e.g., CIEEM.
• 34 days holiday per year, including your birthday, from day one, accruing to 42 days with service.
• Long-service bonus.
• Performance bonus scheme.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• A flexible, supportive environment where work-life balance matters.
• A chance to make your mark in a company passionate about biodiversity and innovation.
• Opportunities for career development with structured training and mentorship.
• Enjoy regular team get-togethers to have fun