Consultant / Senior Ecologist

About us:

At Arun, culture is everything. We understand that to realise our ambitions we need to create an exceptional and balanced working environment, where our staff feel supported to develop both professionally and personally to achieve their own goals.

We are a small and dynamic team with big ambitions. Our core values and commitment to quality have allowed us to find our own niche within the highly competitive ecology sector. We believe that Arun offers a great opportunity, whether you are just starting out in your career or looking for a fresh new challenge at a company where your voice will be heard and your health and wellbeing is paramount.

We are looking for ambitious individuals who buy into our vision and are determined just like we are to establish themselves right at the top of the ecology sector.

Job Description:

In this role as a Consultant/Senior Ecologist at Arun Ecology, you will be integral to the technical delivery of our services.

You will be involved in all aspects of project management including liaising with clients, writing and reviewing technical reports, preparing licence applications and mitigation strategies, as well as leading ecological surveys and site work, where a high level of technical experience is required. There will also be the opportunity to support company Directors in the development of our business operations and technical standards as well as mentoring our assistant ecologists.

As a new business with a growing team this would be an exciting opportunity for someone wanting to shape their position, take on new responsibilities, and grow along with the company.

If you are currently a committed Ecologist who has great attention to detail and is looking for more opportunity to demonstrate your talent in an environment that puts your wellbeing first, then this is the ideal role for you.

The Requirements:

The ideal candidate would meet the following essential criteria:

• Have a minimum of two years (consultant) and four years (senior) professional experience working in ecological consultancy or a similar role;
• Located in South East of England (remote/hybrid working possible);
• A degree in ecology or related field;
• Good UK botany field identification skills. This is to include a minimum of FISC Level 3 Certification;
• Demonstrable Project Management experience, conducting UK Habitat Classification surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments;
• Full knowledge of UK and EU Wildlife Legislation, UK Planning Policy and Best Practice survey techniques;
• A valid (clean) driving licence and vehicle, insured for business use;
• Competent writing and communication skills with experience in writing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Protected Species Reports and completing Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments using the statutory metrics.

Desirable:

• Have experience of protected species mitigation design;
• Writing EPSL applications including being the named ecologist on applications;
• Have experience in line management or have held similar responsibilities;
• Capable of using ArcGIS, QGIS or AutoCad software;
• Specialist surveying and identification skills;
• Full CIEEM Membership (or working towards it);
• Registered to use at least two Natural England protected species licences, ideally including a Level 2 Class Licence to survey bats.