Senior Ecologist

Ecology by Design is currently looking to recruit a Senior Ecologist to join our team.

Ecology by Design was setup in January 2015 and we have had consistent growth ever since. We strive to employ the best and brightest and reward hard work and dedication. We provide ecology consultancy services to a wide range of clients. We pride ourselves in technical excellence and providing an innovative, pragmatic, client friendly service. This is demonstrated by being nominated for the 2026 CIEEM best medium consultancy. Due to our success, we have an excellent opportunity for a senior ecologist to join our team.

We give our Senior Ecologists autonomy to deliver projects themselves from quoting to invoicing in a nurturing environment. This role routinely involves conducting Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (habitat surveys and condition assessments), Biodiversity Impact Assessments, protected and priority species surveys, preparing quotations and tenders, Ecological Impact Assessment and further detailed assessments. It would be perfect for someone wanting to challenge themselves and develop well-rounded consultancy skills, albeit specialists are also welcome as we are happy for our team members to carve a niche for themselves and put their mark on the place. The project-based nature of our work means the candidate must be willing to undertake travel and work away from home with some overnight stays, however, we work hard to ensure our team members achieve a work-life balance so have caps on the numbers of nights away or antisocial hours worked.

We work across the UK with the majority of our projects across the Home Counties, South and Midlands.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Genuine and demonstrable enthusiasm for ecology and the environment;
• Experience of phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species surveys;
• Survey licence for at least one protected species e.g. bats;
• Ability to lead field teams and manage projects;
• Willingness to be flexible as required by a new business;
• Excellent report writing skills;
• Motivated to work both independently and as part of a team, often in remote locations and sometimes during unsociable hours;
• Good communication skills both with colleagues, clients and third parties;
• Experience of writing or securing European Protected Species Mitigation licences (EPSM) for at least one protected species;
• Comfortable designing surveys and quoting for work;
• Full driving licence and use of a car; and
• The project-based nature of our work means the candidate must be willing to undertake travel and work away from home with overnight stays.

Desirable skills:

• Advanced skills in one or more specialist ecological area e.g. bats;
• Member of CIEEM (or eligible if not currently held);
• Degree or equivalent in an ecology related discipline;
• Experience of using QGIS or ArcGIS;
• Experience of line managing and mentoring junior members of staff;
• Comfortable generating new work and networking; and
• Secured European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licences for protected species e.g. great crested newt or bats.

Working for Ecology by Design

We offer:

• Apple computer and IPhone;
• Competitive salary;
• Professional memberships paid for;
• Unlimited in-house and external training budget;
• Colleague nominated bonus scheme;
• Generous pension;
• Unlimited annual leave and flexible approach to work time, balancing a healthy work life balance.

New perks added frequently, reflecting being part of an exciting and innovative young business.

The candidate must live within commuting distance to Chalgrove, Oxfordshire or Cheltenham, Gloucestershire or be willing to relocate. However many of our staff mix working from home and the office on a flexible basis.

Being part of an ambitious company offers excellent opportunities for rapid career progression.

This is an open-ended advertisement, so we reserve the right to close to new applications at any time. We aim to have the new position filled during Summer 2026. However, we are always open to stand out candidates at any time of year.