Your NewpanyYou’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 ismitted 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 RoleAs 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:
1. Supporting and delivering a range of protected species and habitat surveys (including UKHab)
2. Assisting with PEAs, EcIAs, BNG assessments, HRAs and technical reporting
3. Contributing to EPS licence preparation and mitigation strategies under senior guidance
4. Helping coordinate survey programmes and fieldwork logistics
5. Working with clients, planners and design teams to support proportionate ecological solutions
6. Preparing survey maps and figures using QGIS (training provided as standard for all staff)
7. Supporting monitoring work on habitat banking and enhancement projects
8. Developing your field and reporting skills with strong mentoring from senior colleagues
Project types will include:
9. Residential schemes from 30–100 units through to major urban extensions (1,000–2,000)
10. Strategic land promotion sites
11. Local authority projects (, housing reserve sites)
12. Heritage‑led schemes
13. Biodiversity enhancement and long‑term monitoring
14. 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
15. Degree in ecology/biology or related subject (1st or 2:1 preferred)
16. Experience carrying out protected species and habitat surveys
17. Reasonable botanical skills (FISC Level 3 desirable)
18. Understanding of UK wildlife legislation
19. Clear and confident written and verbalmunication
20. Strong organisational skills and a collaborative, positive attitude
21. Willingness to take part in night surveys and occasional overnight stays
22. Full UK driving licence and own vehicle
23. Holder of or eligibility for CIEEM membership
Desirable
24. Protected species licences (or working toward them)
25. Exposure to BNG or EcIA preparation
26. Strong project management/coordination and client liaison skills
27. River Condition Assessor accreditation (or willingness to work towards it)
The team wees 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:
28. Salary: £28,000–£35,000 (Consultant level, DOE)
29. Permanent, full‑time contract ( hrs/week; core hours 10am–4pm)
30. Hybrid working after probation (typically 3 days office / 2 days home)
31. Overtime paid at time + one‑third for surveys
32. Annual profit‑related and performance bonuses
33. 25 days’ holiday, rising to 30 with long service (incl. Christmas shutdown allocation)
34. Pension scheme with increasing employer contributions
35. Excellent CPD: internal training workshops, mentoring, and a strong external training budget
36. Paid CIEEM membership and EPS licence fees
37. Mobile phone and fieldwork clothing allowance
38. Employee Assistance Programme & mental health first aiders
39. Volunteering days and family‑friendly policies
40. Annual UKpany conference and dedicated ecology team conference
41. Annual UK/European weekend trip
42. Genuine career progression, with clear routes towards Senior, Principal and beyond