Hays
Consultant Ecologist
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My client is an award-winning sustainability & environmental consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering innovative environmental solutions across the natural & built environment. Their multidisciplinary teams work collaboratively across ecology, biodiversity, ESG, planning, net zero, and environmental disciplines to help create more sustainable and resilient places.
As part of continued growth, they are seeking a Senior Ecologist to join their London office. This is an excellent opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of projects across residential, commercial, infrastructure and mixed-use developments while helping to deliver measurable biodiversity enhancements and positive environmental outcomes. The organisation places sustainability at the heart of everything they do and offers a genuinely collaborative culture where employees are empowered to develop their careers and make a meaningful impact.
Your new role
As a Consultant Ecologist, you will play a key role in delivering ecology and biodiversity projects from inception through to completion. Working alongside experienced technical specialists, planners and sustainability professionals, you'll provide high-quality ecological advice to a varied client base.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Undertaking ecological surveys and assessments, including UKHab and protected species surveys, ecological impact assessments etc.
- Producing and reviewing a range of technical reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs), and protected species reports.
- Undertaking and managing ecological surveys and coordinating subcontractors where required.
- Using biodiversity metrics and GIS tools to support habitat assessments and BNG delivery.
- Managing project budgets, programmes and client relationships.
- Mentoring and supporting junior ecologists within the team.
- Working collaboratively with a wider multidisciplinary team to deliver integrated sustainability solutions.
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You'll primarily be working on strategic masterplans, conducting ecological and UKHab surveys that feed into wider Biodiversity Net-Gain and Natural Capital projects, whilst primarily project managing. Otherwise, they work on planning projects for the residential, education, accommodation and health sectors. They do not work on infrastructure; rail, road projects.
You'll be working with some very well recognised individuals in the industry who are working at a high level into things such as: IEMA steering groups, Natural England advisory boards, writing codes of conduct in relation to carbon calculations and other research based work.
What you'll need to succeed
Essential:
- A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or a related discipline.
- Consultancy experience delivering ecological projects within the UK.
- Strong knowledge of UK ecological legislation, planning policy and best practice guidance.
- Experience producing ecological reports including PEAs, EcIAs and BNG assessments.
- Experience coordinating field surveys and ecological inputs into planning applications.
- Excellent project management and client-facing skills.
- Strong report writing, communication and organisational skills.
- A passion for delivering positive outcomes for nature and biodiversity.
- Full UK Driving license.
Desirable:
- MSc qualification.
- Membership of CIEEM, ideally working towards Chartership or an equivalent professional accreditation.
- Experience using GIS software and Biodiversity Net Gain metrics.
- Protected species licenses and or tree climbing & aerial rescue.
- FISC 3 or above certification.
- RCA qualification.
- Experience mentoring junior consultants.
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What you'll get in return
- Competitive salary: £30,000 - £36,000 (DoE)
- Discretionary annual bonus.
- Hybrid working arrangements with flexibility around office and home working.
- Part-time options.
- Flexible working hours.
- Private medical care - depending on level and position.
- Enhanced pension contributions.
- 25 days annual leave increasing with tenure, and the ability to carry up to 5 over to the following year.
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
- Clear career progression within a growing ecology and sustainability team.
- Work mobile phone.
- Mileage and expenses paid.
- Enhanced family-friendly policies.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Two paid volunteer days p/year and opportunities to support environmental initiatives.
- Comprehensive wellbeing and lifestyle benefits package (eye tests, vaccines etc.)
- The opportunity to work on exciting projects that contribute towards biodiversity enhancement and sustainable development.
- Low utilisation target across the team, they aren't all about chargeable time!
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.
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