Senior Ecologist - Botanist

The post will involve working as part of a small team, undertaking and coordinating field work such as habitat surveys, species surveys, mapping vegetation communities and assessing site condition. The role will extend beyond field work to include habitat management advice, management plans, policy advice and monitoring.

Our work is varied and the kind of projects the post holder might be involved with includes:

• Monitoring habitat change within a protected site, following restoration
• Working with a team to undertake an NVC survey of a large designated site
• Providing advice on species reintroductions and habitat change

Main responsibilities

Project delivery

Work on a varied portfolio encompassing (as appropriate to skills): botanical surveys and site assessments, land management plans, conservation policy, planning policy, project evaluation etc. This will involve:

• Survey design and organisation
• Undertaking fieldwork and site visits in varied locations
• Leading/attending meetings and workshops, including delivering presentations
• Report writing and analysis
• Peer and technical review of others’ work at Footprint Ecology
• Providing botanical knowledge/support to other members of the team

Business development and strategy

• Working with the practice manager to tender and quote for work
• Developing proposals for work with new or existing clients including using your own network
• Building client relationships, including local authorities, NGOs, statutory agencies and universities
• Developing your skills and sharing knowledge and experience within the team
• Representing the company at events, conferences and meetings
• Liaising with potential clients and exploring new work areas
• Input into our employee-owned company, including participation in employee council meetings and potential to sit on the Trust Board.

Qualifications and experience

We are seeking candidates who have previously worked with or for NGOs, local authorities, statutory agencies or those from academic backgrounds. The successful candidate will need to be familiar with the conservation sector, be highly professional with good people skills and a proven ability in project management.

The essential qualifications, skills and experience are:

• Very good botanical skills, able to identify most widespread species in flower or vegetatively (e.g. a FISC level of 4-5 or demonstrable equivalent experience and knowledge) – working knowledge of lower plant identification
• Experience of NVC and ability to undertake NVC surveys
• BSc or equivalent in a relevant subject
• At least 3 years’ employment in relevant sector (NGO, statutory agency, local authority, academic or consultancy)
• Project management skills, including the ability to take responsibility, plan workloads, organise others, prioritise work and meet deadlines
• Excellent writing skills with demonstrable authorship of a range of reports, publications etc.
• Ability to provide intellectual leadership and creativity in problem solving
• Excellent IT skills including use of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and Teams
• Detailed understanding of nature conservation issues
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Confident, resilient and able to defend views as well as actively listen to and respect others
• Self-motivated and flexible, with the drive, willingness and ability to work to high standards within tight timescales
• A team worker with a collaborative, positive approach showing understanding, friendliness, tact, empathy and courtesy to others
• Commitment to environmental issues and nature conservation

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience are:

• Good all-round natural history skills and experience, including ability to undertake wider range of fieldwork (beyond plants and habitats)
• Good level of understanding of habitat management
• Line management experience
• Understanding of biodiversity net gain
• Experience of managing access and recreation use
• Basic GIS