Ecology Lead | West Midlands

Overview

Camlins is looking for an experienced and ambitious ecologist to establish and lead our new ecology department. This is an opportunity to shape a service from the outset, develop your own team and bring ecological thinking directly into the design of landscapes.

You may be a Senior Ecologist ready to take the next step, or a Principal Ecologist looking for greater influence over the direction of your work. We would like to hear from someone who combines strong technical expertise with the enthusiasm to build something of their own within a supportive practice.

About Camlins

Camlins is an employee-owned landscape architecture practice with more than 40 years’ experience and studios in Shrewsbury and Birmingham. Our work spans public realm, residential developments, education, commercial environments and landscape restoration.

With arboriculture now part of our offer, establishing an ecology department is the next step in bringing together complementary expertise. We want ecology to inform our projects from the earliest stages, helping us create landscapes that support biodiversity, respond to their surroundings and deliver lasting value.

The opportunity

Working closely with the practice’s leadership, landscape architects and arboricultural colleagues, you will help define the department’s services, priorities and approach to delivery.

Initially, this will be a hands-on role combining surveys, assessments and project management with service development. As the department grows, you will help recruit and mentor a team, establishing a working culture and technical standards you can be proud of.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Establishing the ecology service, including survey procedures, reporting standards and quality assurance.
• Leading Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, UKHab surveys, habitat condition assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain work.
• Preparing ecological assessments, mitigation strategies and habitat management and monitoring plans.
• Undertaking protected species work within your expertise and coordinating specialist survey and licensing support where required.
• Working with our designers to integrate habitat creation, enhancement and ecological connectivity into projects.
• Managing commissions, fees, budgets and survey programmes.
• Building client relationships and developing opportunities through the practice’s existing contacts and new commissions.
• Planning the department’s growth with the directors, including resources, recruitment and staff development.

About you

We are looking for someone with:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in ecology or a related discipline.
• Substantial UK ecological consultancy experience and the confidence to manage projects independently.
• Strong habitat survey skills and experience of ecological assessment, BNG and technical reporting.
• A sound understanding of relevant wildlife legislation, planning policy and professional guidance.
• Full CIEEM membership, or eligibility and a commitment to achieving it.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to give practical, well-supported advice to clients and design teams.
• Commercial awareness, including experience preparing fee proposals and managing project budgets.
• The ambition to lead a department and support others as the team develops.
• The ability to travel to sites and undertake seasonal survey work.

Protected species licences, GIS skills, chartered status and experience in mentoring, recruitment or business development would be advantageous. We recognise that ecologists bring different specialisms and welcome the opportunity to discuss yours.

Why join Camlins?

You will have the opportunity to shape your own department within an established practice, drawing on our client relationships and working alongside colleagues who share an interest in thoughtful, nature-led design.

As an employee-owned business, we value the contribution our people make to the practice’s future. This role offers a meaningful voice in how our ecology service develops, with scope for your responsibilities to grow alongside it.

 How to apply

Please send your CV and a short covering email to vacancies@camlins.com, telling us about your experience and what interests you about establishing an ecology department at Camlins.

We also welcome an informal conversation before you apply.

 Closing date: 25 November 2026

Camlins welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Please let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.