Your New Company

You'll be joining an independent, multi‑disciplinary environmental consultancy with around 80-90 staff across five UK offices. Despite its size, the business maintains a small‑team mentality, with each office fostering a friendly, collaborative culture.

The coastal South‑East office is home to a well‑established team of around 10-12 ecologists, working closely with colleagues in heritage, landscape, masterplanning and urban design. The ecology team is known locally for delivering clear, proportionate, and pragmatic advice across a wide variety of planning‑led projects.

The consultancy has grown organically over more than 20 years and is committed to remaining independent. Staff development is a core focus, and team members often progress internally, supported by strong training, mentoring and a genuinely collaborative environment.

Your New Role

As a Consultant Ecologist, you'll support the delivery of ecological inputs across a diverse project portfolio while continuing to grow your technical expertise and confidence in consultancy practice.

Your role will include:

Supporting and delivering a range of protected species and habitat surveys (including UKHab)
Assisting with PEAs, EcIAs, BNG assessments, HRAs and technical reporting
Contributing to EPS licence preparation and mitigation strategies under senior guidance
Helping coordinate survey programmes and fieldwork logistics
Working with clients, planners and design teams to support proportionate ecological solutions
Preparing survey maps and figures using QGIS (training provided as standard for all staff)
Supporting monitoring work on habitat banking and enhancement projects
Developing your field and reporting skills with strong mentoring from senior colleagues
Project types will include:

Residential schemes from 30-100 units through to major urban extensions (phone number removed)
Strategic land promotion sites
Local authority projects (e.g., housing reserve sites)
Commercial developments
Heritage‑led schemes
Biodiversity enhancement and long‑term monitoring
Limited infrastructure (occasional pipeline projects; very little road/rail)
Travel: Regional across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and some London-generally within ~2 hours of the office.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Essential

Degree in ecology/biology or related subject (1st or 2:1 preferred)
Experience carrying out protected species and habitat surveys
Reasonable botanical skills (FISC Level 3 desirable)
Understanding of UK wildlife legislation
Clear and confident written and verbal communication
Competence with MS Office and an interest in using/learning QGIS
Strong organisational skills and a collaborative, positive attitude
Willingness to take part in night surveys and occasional overnight stays
Full UK driving licence and own vehicle
Holder of or eligibility for CIEEM membership
Desirable

Protected species licences (or working toward them)
Exposure to BNG or EcIA preparation
Strong project management/coordination and client liaison skills
River Condition Assessor accreditation (or willingness to work towards it)The team welcomes applicants with a strong foundation and enthusiasm for developing their consultancy career, even if you don't meet every point.

What You'll Get in Return

You'll be part of a friendly, supportive and sociable consultancy that genuinely invests in its people and promotes from within. You can expect:

Salary: £28,000-£35,000 (Consultant level, DOE)
Permanent, full‑time contract (37.5 hrs/week; core hours 10am-4pm)
Hybrid working after probation (typically 3 days office / 2 days home)
Overtime paid at time + one‑third for surveys
Annual profit‑related and performance bonuses
25 days' holiday, rising to 30 with long service (incl. Christmas shutdown allocation)
Pension scheme with increasing employer contributions
Excellent CPD: internal training workshops, mentoring, and a strong external training budget
Paid CIEEM membership and EPS licence fees
Mobile phone and fieldwork clothing allowance
Employee Assistance Programme & mental health first aiders
Volunteering days and family‑friendly policies
Annual UK company conference and dedicated ecology team conference
Annual UK/European weekend trip
Genuine career progression, with clear routes towards Senior, Principal and beyond
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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