Senior Ecologist

Ready to Take Ownership of Your Projects and Progress Towards Principal Ecologist?

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a highly regarded ecological consultancy that is continuing to grow following sustained success across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced ecologist looking to take the next step in their career, working on a diverse range of projects across residential, commercial, employment, infrastructure and renewable energy developments.

Based from Banbury, you'll join a well-established and highly respected team of terrestrial ecologists delivering projects throughout Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and the wider UK. You'll also have the opportunity to collaborate with environmental specialists across multiple disciplines, broadening your technical exposure and career development.

If you're looking for a role where you can lead surveys, manage clients, mentor junior ecologists and develop towards Principal Ecologist level, this could be the perfect opportunity.

The Role

As a Senior Ecologist, you will take ownership of your own portfolio of projects, leading ecological surveys, managing clients and delivering high-quality technical reports that support planning and development projects nationwide.

You'll work as part of an experienced and supportive ecology team where professional development is actively encouraged and progression is genuinely achievable.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop towards Principal Ecologist level over the coming years, taking on increasing responsibility for mentoring, technical leadership and more complex projects.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Ecology

• Design, plan and lead ecological surveys and site visits
• Undertake UKHab and habitat condition assessments
• Deliver protected species surveys including bats, badgers, dormice, great crested newts, reptiles, otters, water voles and nesting birds
• Carry out Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties
• Provide specialist ecological advice to clients and project teams

Reporting & Assessment

• Produce high-quality Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs)
• Prepare Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs)
• Contribute to Environmental Statement chapters
• Deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments
• Prepare protected species survey reports and technical documentation

Project & Client Management

• Independently manage small, medium and large-scale ecology projects
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Liaise with planners, developers and multidisciplinary teams
• Manage project budgets, programmes and delivery
• Support the preparation of tenders and proposals for new work

Mentoring & Leadership

• Review technical work produced by junior ecologists
• Provide guidance, coaching and mentoring
• Support the ongoing growth and development of the wider ecology team

About You

We're keen to speak with ecologists who have:

• A minimum of three years' ecological consultancy experience
• Strong botanical and faunal identification skills
• Extensive experience of UKHab and protected species surveys
• Knowledge of mitigation and licensing requirements
• Excellent report writing skills across PEAs, EcIAs and protected species assessments
• Strong understanding of UK wildlife legislation and planning policy
• Experience managing projects and client relationships
• Full or Associate CIEEM membership, or eligibility to obtain membership
• A full UK driving licence

Desirable Experience

Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with:

• Protected species survey licences
• Experience preparing mitigation licence applications
• National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey experience
• MoRPh survey experience
• QGIS or GIS mapping skills
• Experience mentoring junior ecologists
• Experience leading project teams

Why Apply?

This consultancy has built an outstanding reputation for delivering technically excellent ecological advice while maintaining a genuinely supportive and people-focused culture.

The team works across a wide variety of sectors including housing, commercial development, infrastructure, employment land and renewable energy, providing excellent project diversity and long-term career development opportunities.

You'll join a business that values:

• Integrity
• Quality
• People
• Forward-thinking innovation
• Fairness and inclusion

Flexibility is embedded within the organisation's culture, recognising that people perform at their best when work fits around life, not the other way around. The business actively supports wellbeing, career progression and professional development while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

What's On Offer?

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Structured progression towards Principal Ecologist level
• Support for professional memberships and chartership
• Exposure to nationally significant projects
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration with environmental specialists
• Ongoing CPD and technical development
• Supportive and experienced leadership team
• Strong team culture with genuine opportunities for long-term growth

If you're an ambitious ecologist looking for a role that combines technical excellence, project ownership, client exposure and a clear progression pathway, we'd love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please send your CV to vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk