Who we are

Established in 2004, Greenwillows Associates is a family-run, independent ecological consultancy based in the heart of the Cambridgeshire countryside.

We provide scientific and expert advice, practical and commercial consultancy for planning and development, utilities work, large scale infrastructure schemes, ecological research and land management.

Our clients range from large utility companies, developers and architects through to schools and individual homeowners.

We conduct a wide variety of protected species surveys, habitat classification and assessment, arboricultural and habitat surveys across the East and South-East of England as well as providing practical habitat creation/management services.

We also offer training to our clients' in-house staff.

Our commitment to nature conservation is at our core value whilst balancing this with our duty to our clients.

Role

Greenwillows Associates is looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic Principal / Lead Ecologist to join the team.

This role would provide you with an opportunity to gain exposure to a wide variety of projects and clients and develop skills in all aspects of consultancy work.

The post holder would be involved in all areas of our work, managing a team of ecologists and subcontractors. They will coordinate ecological surveys and mitigation, individual contracts, supporting staff, writing reports and reviewing technical work, whilst liaising with clients and their design teams, as well as LPAs.

Experience, skills, and qualities

• BSc/MSc or equivalent qualification in Ecology, Biological Sciences or similar
• Have a minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience
• Be competent in the survey of, and mitigation for, 2 or more of the following key protected species: bats, badgers, barn owl, breeding birds, dormouse, great crested newts, reptiles, and water voles
• Hold an EPS and/or conservation licence for at least two of the above species groups, and preferably be a Registered consultant on the class license scheme for one or more of the above species groups
• Hold full membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
• Have experience with BNG calculations
• Professional, enthusiastic with a positive approach – able to engage with clients and stakeholders
• Have a pragmatic and common-sense approach to project management and the ability to liaise with the team, offering support and mentoring
• Have excellent knowledge of UK and European environmental legislation.
• Have excellent fieldwork and report writing skills including protected species surveys, EPSL applications, ES chapters, HRA’s and ecological management plans
• Have proven project and staff management experience, preferably in a senior (or equivalent) role
• Be confident and able to manage own workload, be proactive in managing projects and be able to delegate to and provide support to junior staff as appropriate
• Be confident and able to lead training events both internally and externally
• Applications are particularly welcome from ecologists who have botany as a specialism and are or could be certified at FISC level 4 or above
• Have a full clean UK driving licence.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary for the successful candidate
• Flexible working arrangements
• A generous CPD budget, paid CIEEM membership and at least one national conference attendance a year
• Minimal requirements to work away from home as most sites are local to us

Application

If this is the role for you please apply by emailing your CV and a covering letter to: [email protected]