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Senior Ecologist – Cambridge
Location: Cambridge – regular office presence required, with some flexibility for hybrid working
Hours: Permanent, full-time (42 hours per week). Condensed hours and limited flexibility may be considered.
We’re hiring a Senior Ecologist to play a key role in shaping ecological outcomes on a high-profile Development Control Office (DCO) project. You’ll provide specialist support across both non-intrusive and intrusive surveys, influence early design and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and truly make a difference to ecological best practice.
About the Role
We’re unable to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
As a Senior Ecologist, you’ll primarily deliver leadership as an Ecological Clerk of Works (CoW)—taking charge of ecological mitigation on-site, ensuring all works adhere to legislation, planning conditions, and Environmental Management Plans (EMPs). You’ll be the critical bridge between ecological science, project progress, and environmental compliance, all while guiding a team of ecologists to deliver impactful outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
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Site Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the main on-site contact for all ecological matters, coordinating activities and supporting the wider ecology team
- Work closely with contractors to align activities with:
- Environmental Management Plans
- Scheduled Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
- Protected Species Consents/Licences (e.g., badger setts, nesting birds, reptiles)
- Identify ecological constraints early, providing practical, proportionate solutions that enable project progress while maintaining full compliance
Quality Assurance & On-Site Execution
- Conduct pre-construction checks, site inspections, and quality reviews of all ecological documentation
- Carry out protected species surveys, including:
- Badgers
- Nesting birds
- Reptiles
- Deliver effective site inductions and toolbox talks, embedding environmental best practice across the team
Skill & Experience Requirements
Essential
- A degree in ecology (or a related discipline)
- Membership (or close affinity) with CIEEM: The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or an equivalent professional body
- Substantial experience at Senior Ecologist level, including:
- Managing licensed species work and compliance
- Collaborating directly with contractors
- Demonstrated capability to:
- Determine ecological risks and propose cost-effective mitigation
- Manage autonomous site decisions with confidence and accountability
- Operate effectively in sensitive environments (SSSIs, protected habitats, etc.)
- Strong ability to communicate complex ecological findings to non-specialist stakeholders (from developers to agency representatives)
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Rewards & Benefits
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Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Kier’s D&I Action Plan is rooted in employee-driven initiatives—shape the future of our culture with your experiences. As a Disabled People-Friendly employer, we pledge proportional consideration in interviews for applicants meeting the minimum criteria.
Ready to join us? Apply at #joinkier.
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