Senior Ecologist

Are you looking for a new opportunity and a chance to advance in your chosen career?

The Opportunity

Would you like to be a part of a small yet dynamic and growing consultancy that manages the challenge of reconciling wildlife conservation with the commercial requirements of clients on a daily basis?

We are looking for a Senior Ecologist to join our wildlife focused ecological consultancy based in the heart of Devon. The role is primarily office based in Okehampton with survey work around the South-west of England, but we will consider hybrid or home-based working for the right candidate.

The role entails;

• Working with the team to ensure that a high-quality service is delivered to our clients
• Client liaison and development of client relationships
• Managing a wide range of projects from start to finish, within your current skill set
• Technical reporting including PEA, EcIA and BNG reporting
• Line management and mentoring of junior staff
• Peer review of documents as part of our Quality Assurance process

What are we looking for?

Essential qualities

• A relevant degree in ecology or related subject and substantial experience of working within a consultancy / nature conservation sector
• Experience of undertaking and coordinating Phase 1 and UK Hab surveys
• Experience of planning and coordinating protected species surveys and mitigation
• Experience of carrying out and reviewing BNG Assessments and using UKHab classification
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, and lead negotiations with Natural England, County Ecologists, Local Authority planning officers, and stakeholders
• Full CIEEM membership

Desirable qualities

• FISC Level 4 or equivalent
• Experience of mentoring or line managing staff
• Experience of ECoW
• Protected species survey or mitigation licences

In addition, the successful candidate should hold a full driving licence, or have other means of undertaking surveys in remote locations.

What we offer in return

Holiday entitlement of 20 days per year (pro-rata) plus bank holidays, a day off for your birthday and minimum of four days between Christmas and New Year when the office is closed (minimum 33 days per annum).

Flexible working arrangements to allow the demands of work to accommodate personal commitments.

Excellent opportunities for training and development, both in-house and through external training as appropriate.

Professional body membership (CIEEM) fees paid, alongside annual fees for protected species licences, and any associated costs (i.e. rabies vaccinations).

Attendance at one UK conference of your choosing each year.

TOIL policy to help manage your time alongside seasonal demands of the job, including an expectation that full-time employees undertake no more than two ‘anti-social’ hours survey a week on average.

An employee pension scheme to which Lakeway contributes 5% (the post-holder must contribute 3%).

Health benefits scheme membership.