Senior Ecologist
23 days ago
Cheltenham
Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Job OverviewBennett and Game are pleased to be representing a well-established Chartered Town Planning practice seeking a Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead to join their growing team in the Cotswolds.The practice provides a multidisciplinary service across planning, architectural design and development consultancy, supporting a varied client base with residential, commercial and rural planning applications. Due to a consistent demand for ecological services, the company is now looking to establish an in-house ecology capability.The successful candidate will become the practice's lead ecological professional, completing work associated with the company's own planning applications while also delivering consultancy services directly to external clients.This represents an excellent opportunity for an experienced Ecologist who is confident working independently and would like the autonomy to develop an ecology service within a supportive, close-knit consultancy.The company currently employs approximately eight members of staff, including an in-house design team. As the first dedicated Ecologist within the business, the successful candidate will work closely with planners, designers, clients and external stakeholders to provide practical ecological advice from the earliest stages of a project.The role would particularly suit an experienced Senior Ecologist who enjoys taking ownership of projects and wants to work within a smaller business where their contribution will have a visible impact. Unlike larger consultancies, the successful individual will have direct access to decision-makers, greater control over their workload and the opportunity to influence how the ecology function develops.The office is situated at the foot of Cleeve Hill within the Cotswolds National Landscape, providing an attractive working environment for an ecological professional. Hybrid working of up to two days per week can also be offered to an individual who demonstrates the right attitude and ability to manage their workload independently.Senior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Job ResponsibilitiesDeliver ecological assessments and surveys associated with planning applicationsUndertake Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and prepare supporting reportsComplete protected species surveys including bat surveysSupport work involving great crested newts and other protected speciesProvide ecological advice to the company's planners, designers and clientsIdentify ecological constraints and provide practical mitigation recommendationsPrepare clear, accurate and commercially appropriate ecological reportsManage ecology projects from initial instruction through to completionLiaise directly with clients, planning authorities and relevant stakeholdersUndertake ecological work for both internal planning projects and external consultancy clientsManage survey programmes and ensure work is completed within seasonal constraintsAssist with developing the company's ecology service and improving internal processesMaintain awareness of changes to ecological legislation, planning policy and industry guidanceWork collaboratively with the wider planning and design teamManage a varied workload of predominantly smaller-scale ecology commissionsSenior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Job RequirementsPrevious professional experience working within ecological consultancyAbility to independently undertake ecological surveys and prepare reportsStrong experience completing Preliminary Ecological AppraisalsExperience undertaking bat surveys and protected species workGood understanding of ecology in relation to planning applicationsKnowledge of relevant UK wildlife legislation and planning policyStrong written communication and technical report-writing skillsAbility to manage projects and communicate directly with clientsRelevant degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or a related disciplineMembership of CIEEM or another appropriate professional body would be advantageousProtected species survey licences would be highly advantageousExperience with Biodiversity Net Gain assessments would be beneficialFull UK driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle are essentialComfortable working independently as the company's principal ecological professionalSenior Ecologist / Ecology Lead Salary & BenefitsSalary of £38,000 to £45,000, dependent on experience25 days' annual leave plus bank holidaysAdditional day off for your birthdayOffice closure over the Christmas period, provided in addition to the standard holiday allowancePrivate healthcareCompany pension schemeHybrid working available for up to two days per weekCompany laptopCompany mobile phone or contribution towards the cost of a personal mobile SIMMileage expenses for business travelAttractive office location within the Cotswolds National LandscapeOpportunity to establish and develop an in-house ecology serviceHigh level of autonomy and ownership over ecological projectsDirect involvement with clients and senior decision-makersSupportive and close-knit multidisciplinary working environmentImmediate opportunity available due to the current ecology survey seasonBennett and Game Recruitment are a multi-disciplined technical recruitment agency based in Chichester, West Sussex operating across the UK with specialist teams covering a range of industries.We are acting as a Recruitment Agency in relation to this vacancy, and in accordance with GDPR by applying you are granting us consent to process your data, contact you about the services we offer, and submit your CV for the role you have applied for.TPBN1_UKTJ