Overview

The Role:

An exciting and challenging opportunity awaits a self-motivated and organised individual to work within an award-winning, multi-disciplinary consultancy business. You will work on a range of ecological projects across England and Wales, requiring a mixture of field and office-based skills.

The role will suit an experienced Ecological Consultant, who will carry out a wide range of field surveys, alongside office-based work such as data analysis, cartography, report writing and survey planning. You will be frequently involved with projects and schemes which require bat, reptile, great crested newt, badger, and bird surveys. The preparation and completion of Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, HMMPs, Mitigation & Enhancement Strategies, and input into EPS mitigation (development) licences will also form part of the role.

Senior Ecologists will be involved in a wide range of projects and surveys. This role will frequently involve preparation and completion of Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), protected species surveys and license applications, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments and Ecological Management Plans. You will play a crucial role in helping co-ordinate ecological services and supporting the ecology team. The ability to organise and manage your own workload is essential.

The role will be based at our office on the outskirts of Worcester in the beautiful Worcestershire Countryside. Focus Environmental Consultants is proud to be a CIEEM Registered Practice and winner of CIEEM’s ‘Small Consultancy of the Year – 2023’.

Salary & Benefits: We offer a fantastic working environment with a strong remuneration package. Salary will be dependent on experience, but salary band is typically £26,000 – £32,000 (Ecologist) and £33,000 – £40,000pa (Senior Ecologist). Additional benefits include a commitment to ongoing professional development, enhanced pension scheme, inclusion in company-paid Healthcare scheme, paid volunteer days, payment of professional membership fees, ecologist-designed TOIL policy, flexible working, and minimum of 32 days annual leave (full-time, including bank holidays). We operate a restricted nocturnal surveys system; Ecologist (2 per week) and Senior Ecologists (1 per week). We are open to applications for both full or part-time contracts.

Ecologist Specification:

Experience (Ecologist):

  • Degree in relevant subject / discipline.
  • Established professional Ecologist, with at least 2 years professional consultancy experience.
  • Proficient in Preliminary Ecological Assessments and BNG Assessments with good botanical skills.
  • Experienced in bat surveys and assessments. Holding a Natural England bat survey class license would be a significant advantage.
  • Experience in report production, client liaison and project management.
  • CIEEM Qualifying / Associate membership.
  • A current CSCS card would also be a benefit.

Experience (Senior Ecologist):

  • Established professional Ecologist, with at least 5 years consultancy experience.
  • Established area(s) of specialism combined with excellent all-round field skills.
  • Experienced in BNG Assessments with good botanical skills.
  • Proficiency with protected species work, including obtaining EPS Mitigation (development) licenses (for bats, dormice and/or gcn) and personal survey licenses.
  • Full working knowledge of relevant wildlife/environmental legislation and policy, the planning process, and Appropriate Assessment.
  • CIEEM Full / Associate membership.
  • A current CSCS card would also be a benefit.

Outlook & Character:

  • Confident and sociable person with excellent verbal and written communication.
  • Excellent project management skills.
  • Initiative to make best use of time and opportunities.
  • Ability to organise and manage own workload.
  • Full driving license and access to own vehicle.