Ecologist

Hours: Full Time (37½ hours per week), plus seasonal evening/morning work
Contract type: Permanent
Contact name: Karen Bingham
Contact telephone: 01328 864633
Contact email: [email protected]

Wild Frontier Ecology Ltd is an established consultancy based in North Norfolk. We are a CIEEM registered practice, with experience in most areas of professional ecological consultancy. We have a rare opportunity for an Ecologist to join our busy team.

To be considered as an Ecologist, you should have:

• A full UK driving licence and access to own transport with business insurance use.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in Ecology or a related subject.
• Have a minimum of 2 years’ relevant work experience of working as an Assistant Ecologist, or similar role, either within a consultancy or within conservation.
• Be demonstrably working towards holding a Natural England survey licence, preferably a Bat Licence at Level 1 (or above).
• Hold, or be close to achieving, a botanical Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) at Level 3 or above.
• Already be, or aspire to be, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or equivalent professional body with a professional code of conduct; and undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to the accepted standards.
• Strong understanding and experience in the application of UK legislation and animal welfare issues around protected species as well as Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Experience of Ecological Clerk-of-Works role.
• Commercial awareness.
• Be eligible to work within the UK.

The successful candidate will undertake varied field survey work across East Anglia and manage a range of small and medium size projects, including some with moderately complex issues, with guidance from senior colleagues. You will need to be comfortable attending meetings with clients and stakeholders (either in-person or virtually). There will be opportunities to work on sites of high ecological value, and you will be expected to develop ecological expertise as part of your CPD.

It is important to have the ability to work flexibly, as part of a team, and with excellent personal organisation, whilst providing guidance/support to Assistant Ecologists and other colleagues.

Your own written work needs to be of a very high standard and should require minimal changes to become a finalised document. You will also be expected to be a reviewer of documents produced by other members of the team, i.e., reports, management plans, etc.

During the peak season (April to August), you will be expected to work up to two evenings or early mornings per week to undertake protected species surveys/reviews. Time off in lieu can be taken at other times.

Benefits of working at WFE

• The role is based at our small office in rural North Norfolk.
• Working from home up to two days each week is considered normal (if preferred by the successful candidate) following a successful probationary period.
• 24 days annual leave (plus bank holidays). 4 days of your annual leave is to cover the office closure over the Christmas/New Year period.
• Life assurance cover (of 4x Salary for Eligible Employees).
• Access to a fully integrated employee assistance program including 24/7 virtual GP.
• Ceiling of 2 late evenings/ early mornings per week.
• TOIL policy and flexible approach to working hours to ensure a healthy work/life balance.
• Training opportunities, i.e. Tree Climbing, FISC, Bat Acoustic Analysis, etc.
• Access to fleet cars to use whilst undertaking field survey work.
• Auto-enrolment pension scheme (after 3 months’ service).
• Tennis court available to use with colleagues during lunch breaks and after work, or rural lunchtime walks. Shower facilities available.
• Free, off-road, parking.

Closing date for applications will be midnight on Friday 7th August 2026. It is anticipated that interviews will be held before the end of August.

This is a permanent, full-time role; however, applications from those wishing to work part-time may be considered.