Senior Ecologist

The Opportunity

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is working with an established ecological consultancy looking to appoint a Senior Ecologist to its growing terrestrial ecology team.

This is particularly well suited to an ecologist who values technical quality and wants to work alongside experienced specialists. The team has built a strong reputation for delivering robust ecological advice and high-quality technical work across complex development projects.

Rather than being a role where progression means moving away from ecology, there is genuine scope to continue developing as a technical consultant. You will be encouraged to strengthen your protected species, habitat assessment, reporting and project management expertise while gaining exposure to more complex commissions and greater responsibility.

The team works across projects throughout the UK, covering sectors including residential development, commercial and employment schemes, retail and renewable energy.

The Role

As a Senior Ecologist, you will manage your own projects while remaining closely involved in technical delivery.

Your work will include:

• Designing, undertaking and leading terrestrial ecology surveys and site visits
• Phase 1 and UK Habitat Classification surveys
• Protected species surveys, including bats, badgers, dormice, great crested newts, reptiles, otters, water voles and nesting birds
• Ecological Clerk of Works responsibilities
• Desk studies, data processing, analysis and interpretation
• Preparing PEAs, EcIAs, Environmental Statement chapters, BNG assessments and protected species reports
• Managing small, medium and larger ecology projects
• Providing specialist ecological advice to clients
• Developing and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships
• Supporting tenders and new project opportunities
• Reviewing the work of more junior ecologists
• Mentoring and supporting colleagues as they develop their technical capabilities

The original brief places a strong emphasis on independent project management, client relationships, technical reporting and mentoring, alongside continued hands-on ecological work.

Technical Development

One of the strongest aspects of this opportunity is the scope to keep progressing technically.

You will be surrounded by experienced terrestrial ecologists and have opportunities to expand your knowledge through more complex protected species and habitat work, higher-level reporting and increasingly challenging projects.

There is also a defined progression route towards Principal Ecologist. As you develop, this would involve taking responsibility for more complex ecological projects and mentoring a larger team.

For someone who enjoys consultancy but wants greater technical depth, responsibility and recognition for their expertise, this could offer a strong long-term fit.

About You

You are likely to have at least three years of relevant professional ecology experience, ideally within consultancy, although closely related public sector or conservation experience can also be considered.

You should bring:

• A relevant degree and/or postgraduate qualification
• Strong UK botanical and faunal identification skills
• Experience of Phase 1 Habitat and/or UK Habitat Classification surveys
• Protected species survey, mitigation and licensing knowledge
• A detailed understanding of UK wildlife legislation and policy
• Strong technical report writing skills, including experience with PEAs, EcIAs and protected species reporting
• Experience managing projects and liaising directly with clients
• Full or Associate CIEEM membership, or eligibility to achieve this
• The ability to travel for project work, including occasional overnight stays
• A full UK driving licence

These requirements reflect the technical foundations expected within the team.

Additional experience with NVC, MoRPh, GIS/QGIS or protected species development licences would be particularly valuable. Holding at least one protected species survey licence would also be advantageous.

The Team

You will be joining a specialist ecology environment where technical standards matter.

The wider team advises established public and private sector clients on projects across the UK, with particular expertise in integrating habitats, wildlife and ecological enhancement into development.

There is a collaborative culture, access to experienced specialists and the opportunity to broaden your knowledge beyond your immediate project work. This makes the position particularly attractive if you want to become a stronger technical ecologist while also developing your commercial, project management and mentoring experience.

Location and Flexibility

Oxfordshire, with flexible working available.

The organisation has adopted a flexible approach to how and where people work, with an emphasis on balancing project requirements, collaboration and individual circumstances.

What’s on Offer

• A technically focused Senior Ecologist position
• Exposure to varied and challenging UK projects
• A highly experienced specialist ecology team
• Strong opportunities for technical development
• Greater ownership of projects and client relationships
• Opportunities to mentor junior ecologists
• Exposure to wider environmental disciplines and specialist expertise
• A clear route towards Principal Ecologist
• Flexible working
• A supportive environment where you can build a long-term technical career

If you are an experienced ecologist looking for a role where technical quality is genuinely valued, and where you can continue building your expertise rather than moving away from the science, we would be very interested in speaking with you.

Ocean to Earth Recruitment specialises in connecting environmental professionals with organisations where their expertise, values and long-term ambitions can make a meaningful impact.