Principal Ecologist
£50,000 - £75,000 + Company Car + benefits
Home‑based with weekly travel to offices and sites across the South East and South West
Are you ready to help shape an in‑house ecology team that protects habitats and supports vital infrastructure delivery?
We are looking for a Principal Ecologist to join a leading UK principal contractor, turning over in excess of £2bn. This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading infrastructure businesses and play a key role in delivering ecological support across major infrastructure projects. The team is expanding significantly, offering excellent long‑term career progression and exposure to a diverse range of projects, habitats and protected species work.
This is a hybrid role, with offices based across Oxfordshire, Beaconsfield, Bristol, Exeter, Cambridge, Suffolk, Ipswich, Luton or Winchester.
Key responsibilities
* Lead and support habitat and species surveys, ensuring ecological requirements are met
* Manage ECoW requirements, impact assessments, licensing and mitigation activities
* Contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivery, including BNG condition assessment
* Engage confidently with project teams to coordinate priorities and expectations
Qualifications and experience
* Experience in field surveys and reporting, including UK Habitat Classification assessment, BNG condition assessment and protected species surveys
* Sound knowledge of ecological principles, legislation, policy and guidance
* Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and manage competing priorities effectively
* Valid UK driving licence, with willingness to travel and stay away from home for short periods when required
If you are looking to join a supportive, values‑driven team and make a tangible difference to biodiversity outcomes, we would love to hear from you.
For further information and to apply, please contact or (phone number removed). Job Reference – AL 4754
Irwin and Colton is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion please let us know if we can do anything to make the process more accessible to you.
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