Freshwater Ecologists - Assistant to Principal

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is working with an established and growing environmental consultancy to recruit Freshwater Ecologists at all levels, from Assistant through to Principal, predominantly across the Midlands.

Our client is a well-respected ecological consultancy with a team of over 100 ecologists, delivering a diverse portfolio of projects across the UK. With extensive expertise in terrestrial and aquatic ecology, the business supports major infrastructure, utilities, development and conservation projects, combining technical excellence with a commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a large, experienced ecological team where you can develop your technical specialisms, work alongside knowledgeable colleagues and contribute to projects that make a meaningful difference to freshwater habitats and biodiversity.

We are particularly interested in freshwater specialists with experience in Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments, river restoration, aquatic surveys, utilities projects and riparian mammal ecology.

The Opportunities

We are recruiting across several levels of experience, offering opportunities to develop your career in the direction that best suits your skills and ambitions.

Whether you are an Assistant Ecologist looking to gain further field experience, an established Freshwater Ecologist keen to broaden your technical expertise, or a Principal Ecologist interested in leading complex projects and supporting team development, there are opportunities to explore.

Depending on your experience and interests, your responsibilities could include:

• Delivering freshwater ecological surveys, monitoring programmes and assessments.

• Undertaking aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, including kick-sampling and identification.

• Conducting macrophyte surveys and aquatic vegetation assessments.

• Supporting and delivering Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments.

• Undertaking River Habitat Surveys (RHS), river condition assessments and habitat evaluations.

• Contributing to river restoration, habitat enhancement and biodiversity improvement projects.

• Undertaking white-clawed crayfish surveys and supporting mitigation and conservation programmes.

• Supporting fisheries surveys, fish rescue operations and aquatic species monitoring.

• Delivering water quality monitoring and ecological assessments for utilities and infrastructure projects.

• Undertaking riparian mammal surveys, including water vole and otter.

• Preparing ecological reports, technical assessments and mitigation recommendations.

• Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, clients and project stakeholders.

For more senior appointments, responsibilities may also include technical leadership, project management, client relationships, mentoring junior ecologists and contributing to the continued growth of the freshwater ecology team.

Significant Water Vole Translocation Projects

Alongside the Midlands-based freshwater opportunities, our client has two significant water vole translocation projects in the pipeline, creating particular interest in ecologists based further south with strong riparian mammal experience.

We would welcome conversations with ecologists who have experience in:

• Water vole surveys, population assessments and habitat suitability assessments.

• Water vole mitigation strategies and conservation.

• Water vole displacement, trapping and translocation programmes.

• Riparian habitat management, restoration and enhancement.

• Ecological supervision and monitoring associated with water vole mitigation.

• Working on infrastructure, utilities or development projects involving protected riparian species.

If you have a particular interest in water vole conservation or would like to develop your experience on substantial translocation projects, we would be pleased to discuss these opportunities with you.

About the Company

Our client is an established ecological consultancy with a nationwide presence and a team of more than 100 ecologists.

The business works across a broad range of sectors, including utilities, water infrastructure, construction, development and environmental conservation.

With a substantial team of ecological specialists, the consultancy offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced colleagues across multiple disciplines, benefiting from shared technical knowledge and collaborative project delivery.

Its varied project portfolio provides opportunities to gain experience across different freshwater environments, ecological survey techniques and complex environmental challenges.

For those looking to progress, the size and structure of the business offer scope to develop specialist technical expertise, take on project responsibilities and build leadership capabilities.

About You

We are keen to hear from freshwater ecologists at different stages of their careers.

You may have experience in one or several of the following areas:

• Freshwater ecology and aquatic habitat assessment.

• Water Framework Directive assessments.

• Aquatic macroinvertebrate surveys and identification.

• Macrophyte surveys and botanical identification.

• River Habitat Surveys and river condition assessments.

• White-clawed crayfish surveys and mitigation.

• Fisheries ecology and fish rescue.

• Water quality monitoring.

• River restoration and ecological enhancement.

• Water vole and otter surveys, mitigation and translocation.

• Ecological consultancy projects within the water, utilities or infrastructure sectors.

A relevant qualification in ecology, freshwater biology, environmental science or a related discipline would be advantageous.

For senior and principal appointments, experience in technical reporting, project management, client liaison, mentoring or specialist ecological leadership would be particularly valuable.

You do not need experience in every area listed. We are interested in understanding your existing strengths, the freshwater disciplines you enjoy most and where you would like to develop your career.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Joining a large, established ecological consultancy can offer valuable opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Key attractions include:

• Varied and meaningful projects: Work across freshwater ecology, utilities, river restoration, infrastructure and conservation.

• Experienced colleagues: Join a team of over 100 ecologists, with opportunities to share knowledge and develop technical expertise.

• Specialist development: Build your experience in aquatic ecology, protected species, freshwater monitoring or ecological assessment.

• Career progression: Explore opportunities from Assistant through to Principal level, with potential to develop technical or project leadership responsibilities.

• Significant conservation projects: Opportunities to contribute to substantial water vole translocation programmes and freshwater habitat protection.

• Collaborative working: Work with specialists across terrestrial and aquatic ecology on a diverse range of projects.

Specific salary, benefits and working arrangements will be discussed according to the position, location and level of experience.

Locations

We are particularly interested in hearing from freshwater ecologists based across the Midlands, including:

• Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire

• Staffordshire and Leicestershire

• Birmingham and the wider West Midlands

• Worcestershire, Warwickshire and surrounding areas

We are also interested in ecologists based further south, particularly those with strong water vole, otter or riparian mammal experience who may be suited to the forthcoming translocation projects.

If you are based outside these areas but have relevant expertise, we would still welcome a conversation.

Interested? Let's Explore Your Next Career Move

At Ocean to Earth Recruitment, we believe the right career move is about more than a job title. It's about finding an organisation where your expertise is valued, your interests are supported and you have the opportunity to develop a fulfilling, long-term career.

We take the time to understand your experience, professional interests and career ambitions before discussing opportunities that could be the right fit.

Whether you are actively looking for a new position or simply curious about the opportunities available in freshwater ecology, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Apply or arrange a confidential conversation:

📧 vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk
🌐 www.oceantoearth.co.uk