Ecologist

Who We Are

We’re a vibrant and expanding ecological consultancy based in the lovely Waveney Valley in South Norfolk. Established in 2010 the business has gone from strength to strength, with an emphasis on building positive relationships with our clients.

We’re a small team but are well connected with other ecology specialists and multidisciplinary teams and we take a collaborative approach to our work. We have a good variety of projects, from PEAs and protected species surveys/mitigation to higher level assessments, such as shadow HRAs. Our work is largely focused in the East of England but with some wider work across rest of the UK.

We’re a family friendly employer and celebrate individualism and the unique perspectives this brings to our team. We acknowledge talent and nurture the aspirations of each individual, with the wellbeing of our team members being of the upmost importance. For us happy staff equates to a happy workplace.

What We’re Looking For

An experienced and self-motivated ecologist looking to advance their career through joining our friendly and supportive team. You’ll be given a hands-on role and will gain experience in all aspects of our projects and day to day running of a thriving consultancy.

A minimum of 3 years’ experience in an ecological consultancy setting is required, along with a good grounding in Phase 1 survey/UK Habs techniques and good botanical ID skills. A firm grasp of protect species and habitat assessments, along with experience of protected species survey methodologies and mitigation is necessary. In particular, the successful candidate will also be familiar with the equipment and methods employed in bat activity surveys and will have the ability to plan and help to coordinate these. Experience of EcIA, HRA and BNG assessments is also desirable but not essential.

We are looking for candidates with great interpersonal skills and for a candidate who is able to oversee the running of projects, ideally with some team management experience.

Job Role

Your duties will include:

• Phase 1 habitat/UK Habs & protected species surveys
• Undertaking Preliminary Ecological Appraisals
• Inputting into EcIA and HRA/AA
• Undertaking Biodiversity Net Gain assessments using the DEFRA Metric
• Producing high quality written reports
• Managing simple/individual projects
• Use of QGIS for mapping and analysis
• Undertaking and help to coordinate protected species mitigation schemes
• Liaising with project managers and clients
• Mentoring junior staff
• Supervising field assistants and coordinating surveys.

The vacancy is for a full-time position on a permanent contract with a standard 3 month probationary period. The typical working week being Monday-Friday, some weekend work may occasionally be required.

Salary and Terms

Salary: £27-37K Negotiable, competitive salary, commensurate with experience and capability matrix.

Benefits: Company pension scheme is running with investment into Nest. 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays, plus 1 day for your birthday and 4 days for Christmas break. Additional holiday accrual scheme for employees of more than 2 years’ service.

The Perks!

Work/Life Balance

• Flexi and remote working options, including working around child/family care responsibilities or health conditions
• Toil accrual and rest policy
• No more than 2 ‘anti-social’ hours surveys per week where possible
• 28 days annual leave (inc. bank holidays), +1 day for your birthday and + 4 days for Christmas
• Holiday accrual scheme for employees of more than 2 years’ service

Financial Wellbeing

• Salary: £27-37K negotiable, commensurate with experience and capability matrix
• Company pension scheme, with enhancement options
• Expenses advances and instant BACs for large expense sums
• Provision of all required PPE and other essential kit and materials

Personal and Workplace Wellbeing

• Private healthcare, with family cover options
• Work wellbeing action plans and monthly wellbeing check-ins
• Employee Assistance Programme
• One paid conservation volunteer day annually
• Two annual paid team building days
• Workplace assessments (risk assessments, occupational health referrals, Display Screen Equipment assessments)
• Enforced lunch breaks and fresh air breaks (company of office dog optional)

Professional Development

• Generous annual training budget
• Inhouse and collaborative learning opportunities
• Mentoring
• CIEEM competency framework objectives
• Appraisals
• Management training
• Personalised career path planning

For further information please contact us on 01379 740098.

Closing date for applications is 31st March.