The Ecology Co-op
Senior Ecologist - Kent or Sussex
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Senior Ecologist / Project Manager – Kent or Sussex
Location: Based in Kent (with flexibility to work remotely from East Sussex or Surrey), or Sussex (with flexibility to work remotely from Kent or Surrey).
Salary: From £32,000 (dependent on experience and protected species licences)
We are seeking a Senior Ecologist / Project Manager to join our growing team based in Kent or Sussex, with flexibility for cross-region remote working.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecologist looking to step up into a senior role, or for an established Senior Consultant seeking a new challenge and the chance to play a key role in a developing and ambitious business.
About the Role
You will be responsible for managing a variety of ecological projects and contributing to technical work across a range of disciplines. The role offers the opportunity to undertake a broad range of survey work, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs), mitigation and habitat creation, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and protected species surveys, including European Protected Species Mitigation Licence (EPSML) applications.
You will work closely with the Kent-based or Sussex-based team and collaborate with colleagues across the wider business. Depending on your experience, you will also have opportunities to mentor and coach junior colleagues, as well as manage projects or tasks within multidisciplinary teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing and delivering a range of ecological projects from inception to completion
- Preparing high-quality proposals, reports, and technical documents
- Undertaking and overseeing ecological and protected species surveys
- Preparing and submitting EPSML applications
- Liaising effectively with clients, consultees, and other environmental disciplines
- Supporting and mentoring junior team members
- Ensuring work is completed to the highest technical and professional standards
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About You
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in ecology or a related subject
- Minimum of five years’ experience in a similar consultancy role
- Ideally hold at least two protected species survey licences (a bat licence is preferable)
- Experience preparing and submitting EPSMLs
- Strong understanding of protected species technical work and ecological legislation
- Experience with project management, client liaison, and proposal preparation
- Full membership of CIEEM (or eligibility to apply /upgrade)
- A valid UK driving licence and willingness to work flexible hours and travel to sites as required
- An MSc or PhD in a relevant subject is desirable but not essential
- Experience with other protected species or as a botanist would be advantageous
What We Offer
Four-Day Working Week Trial (2026)
We are currently running a company-wide four-day working week trial (March–December 2026), where staff work Monday to Thursday at full pay. Friday is a non-working day for most roles. We are committed to finding sustainable ways of working that genuinely support our people’s wellbeing.
Competitive salary from £32,000
Dependent on experience and licences held.
Comprehensive private medical insurance
Full Vitality health cover including:
- Hospital and consultant fees
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Mental health support
- Optical and dental cover
- Physiotherapy
- Diagnostic cover and therapies
Annual leave above the statutory minimum
Our annual leave entitlement is above the statutory minimum and has been adjusted proportionally to reflect our four-day working week — so the real value of your leave remains strong.
Flexible travel support
Option to use a company vehicle or claim mileage for project-related travel.
Professional development and CIEEM membership
Full coverage of your CIEEM membership fees, a £750 annual training budget, and access to larger budgets for specific training goals.
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High-quality fieldwork equipment
Access to well-maintained, up-to-date equipment to support your fieldwork — including night vision aids that have been part of our kit for over 12 years.
Hybrid flexible working
Two days per week in the office, with the rest worked flexibly from home or in the field.
Company sick pay
Enhanced sick pay above the statutory minimum, so you can focus on getting better.
Loyalty bonus
- £2,000 after 5 years
- £4,000 after 10 years
- £6,000 after 15 years
A team that values your contribution
A friendly, sociable, and inclusive working environment where your ideas and efforts are genuinely recognised.
We have long prioritised making working hours more manageable for our staff. As early adopters of night vision aids, we were quick to remove dawn bat surveys from staff workloads — and our four-day working week trial is the latest step in that ongoing commitment to our people.
We welcome applications from individuals who believe a high-performance working style balanced with a meaningful recovery time, would enable them to thrive.
To apply for this role please email your CV and a covering letter to
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and recognise the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on objective criteria and without regard to age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation; protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with the relevant governing laws.
Our organisation is committed not only to meeting its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.
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