Job Description
Job Title: Landscape Ecologist
Location: Perth / Highland (Hybrid) – Home-based but requiring travel to sites across Scotland
Salary: £28,000 – £32,000 (aligned to experience)
Commitment: Full-time or 0.6 FTE (Flexible for the right candidate)
Please do not easy-apply. Read the text below at the end of this posting.
About Wildish Environmental
Wildish Environmental is a small, purpose-driven environmental consultancy operating at the forefront of Scotland’s nature recovery transition. We work at the interface of ecology, land management, and natural capital - translating complex ecological data into strategic, investable restoration projects.
Our portfolio spans:
* Landscape-scale habitat restoration
* Habitat mapping and ecological monitoring
* Natural capital assessments
* Environmental project funding applications
* National-level guidance and policy input
We work with private estates, land-based businesses, NGOs, government bodies, and impact-driven investors to deliver measurable ecological change. This is not a volume consultancy. We prioritise depth, rigour, and long-term ecological integrity.
The Role
We are hiring a Landscape Ecologist - a technically capable generalist with strong field competence and the ability to support strategic restoration design and natural capital projects. This role blends:
* Hands-on ecological survey work
* Natural capital and restoration planning
* Internal systems development
* Opportunities for client engagement
You will work closely with the founders in a high-trust, high-autonomy environment. The role combines delivery of live projects with contributing to the development of internal systems, templates, and workflows as the business grows.
We are looking for someone who enjoys both rugged fieldwork and rigorous thinking - and who is motivated by landscape-scale change rather than box-ticking consultancy outputs. You will be supported to grow into increasing levels of responsibility as your experience and confidence develops.
Key Responsibilities
1. Field Survey & Technical Delivery (Primarily Spring - Autumn). You will be responsible for ensuring field data is robust, defensible, and aligned with current Scottish policy and funding requirements. You will lead and support fieldwork across remote and challenging Scottish terrain, including:
* Phase 1 and UKHab surveys
* National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys
* Habitat Impact Assessments (HIA)
* Peat depth surveys and GWDTE assessments
* Condition assessments for woodland, peatland, and freshwater habitats
* Other ecological surveys depending on experience
2. Strategic Consultancy & Natural Capital (Year-Round). A key part of the role is translating ecological complexity into clear, structured, decision-ready documents. You will contribute to:
* Restoration masterplans and habitat management strategies
* Natural capital baseline assessments
* Carbon project documentation (Peatland Code / Woodland Carbon Code support)
* Funding applications (e.g. Nature Restoration Fund and related schemes)
* High-quality technical reports for landowners, investors, and public bodies
3. Business Systems & Project Coordination. As a growing consultancy, you’ll have opportunities to contribute to improving internal. This is an opportunity to contribute to how the business operates as it grows. You will:
* Develop and maintain QGIS templates and project workflows
* Improve reporting frameworks and data management protocols
* Coordinate subcontractors and specialist surveyors
* Support technical scoping for new projects
* Contribute to continuous improvement of internal systems
Person Specification
Essential
* 2–5 years of experience in ecology, land management, or equivalent applied role
* Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline
* Strong habitat identification skills in a Scottish context (UKHab and/or Phase 1)
* Demonstrable experience in NVC or botanical survey work
* Clear, professional technical writing skills
* Familiarity with GIS
* Comfortable working in working in remote, rugged terrain in diverse weather
* Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable
* Experience with Peatland Code and/or Woodland Carbon Code projects
* Working knowledge automation or structured reporting in QGIS and Mergin Maps
* Ornithology, European Protected Species, entomology, or other taxonomic specialism
* Understanding of Scotland’s evolving nature and biodiversity policy landscape
* Experience engaging directly with landowners or clients
What We Offer
Meaningful Influence: You will work on nationally significant restoration projects and contribute directly to their design and delivery.
Genuine Variety: A balanced split between field ecology, strategic thinking, and systems development.
Mentorship & Growth: Direct collaboration with the founders in building a high-impact consultancy.
Flexibility: Hybrid working with flexibility around location and hours. We prioritise outcomes and integrity over presenteeism.
Professional Development Budget (£1,000 per year FTE): We invest in your growth and commit to an annual training budget to support CPD, specialist survey accreditation, technical courses, conferences, or professional memberships.
Field Equipment & Expenses Covered: All travel to site reimbursed. Necessary field equipment and software provided.
Who This Role is For
This role will suit someone who:
* Wants to work on landscape-scale restoration, not routine compliance surveys
* Enjoys intellectual challenge as much as fieldwork
* Is comfortable taking initiative and developing independent judgement
* Is motivated by ecological integrity and long-term impact
The role may not suit someone seeking highly structured corporate consultancy progression or narrowly defined specialist-only work.
We recognise that strong ecologists don’t all follow the same path. We welcome applications from candidates with a range of experience - including proactive, self-starting individuals earlier in their careers who are ready to step up. If you are motivated, technically curious, and serious about developing your judgement and responsibility, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every listed criterion. We are more interested in ecological rigour, initiative, and long-term potential than a perfect CV match.
What To Do
Please send a CV and covering letter to info@wildishenvironmental.com. The deadline for applications is 15th March 2026.