Senior Ecologist – Bristol

Location: Bristol
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Working Arrangements: Hybrid / Flexible Working
Job Reference: 56439

Senior Ecologist – Bristol

We are recruiting for a Senior Ecologist to join an established and growing environmental consultancy in Bristol. This is an opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team, supporting a varied portfolio of projects across infrastructure, development, energy and the wider environmental sector.

The successful candidate will be involved in delivering ecological surveys, assessments and technical reports, while managing projects, advising clients and supporting the development of junior colleagues.

The position offers a combination of technical ecological work, project management and opportunities for professional development, with flexible working arrangements available.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning, coordinating and undertaking ecological surveys, including habitat assessments and protected species surveys.

• Preparing and reviewing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) and protected species reports.

• Contributing to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs) and ecological mitigation strategies.

• Supporting the preparation of European Protected Species licence applications and ecological management plans.

• Managing ecological projects from initial scoping through to delivery, ensuring work is completed to the required technical standards.

• Preparing fee proposals, tenders and project budgets.

• Providing technical advice to clients, project teams and other environmental specialists.

• Supporting and mentoring junior ecologists through fieldwork, report writing and technical development.

Requirements

• A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.

• Relevant professional experience within ecological consultancy.

• Good knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and ecological survey methodologies.

• Experience undertaking habitat and protected species surveys.

• Experience preparing ecological reports, including PEAs and EcIAs.

• Strong project management, communication and organisational skills.

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or working towards membership.

• Ability to work independently while contributing to a wider multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Experience

• Holding protected species survey licences, particularly for bats, great crested newts or dormice.

• Experience contributing to EIA chapters and HRAs.

• Experience preparing or supporting protected species mitigation licence applications.

• Experience mentoring junior ecologists or coordinating ecological fieldwork.

• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), UKHab and habitat condition assessments.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary dependent on experience. (£40,000 - £45,000)

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

• Opportunities to work on a diverse range of environmental and development projects.

• Support towards professional membership and career progression.

• Access to experienced technical specialists across multiple environmental disciplines.

• Opportunities to develop project management and technical leadership skills.

• A collaborative team environment with ongoing training and professional development.