About the role
Looking for a Principal Ecology role where work-life balance genuinely means something?
Ocean to Earth Recruitment is working with a growing environmental consultancy looking for a Principal Ecologist to join its Kent or Sussex team.
The company has created a friendly, sociable and deliberately non-corporate working environment. There is a dog-friendly office, regular socials, flexible working and a genuine focus on making consultancy life more sustainable for its people.
They are currently trialling a four-day working week, with employees working Monday to Thursday at full pay. They have also taken practical steps to reduce demanding working patterns for ecologists, including using night vision technology to remove dawn bat surveys from staff workloads.
Even the recruitment process is relaxed and personable. Your interview could involve meeting the team for a chat in the local pub rather than sitting through a formal corporate interview.
The role
You will take a leading role within the ecology team, combining technical delivery with project management, client liaison, mentoring and supporting the continued development of the business.
This could be an excellent next move for a Senior Ecologist ready to progress to Principal level, or an established Principal looking for greater flexibility and a more personable consultancy environment.
Your work could include:
• Leading ecological surveys and protected species work
• Producing and reviewing EcIAs, ES Chapters, HRAs and technical reports
• Acting as Named Ecologist on EPS mitigation licences
• Managing ecological projects from initial proposal through to delivery
• Building and maintaining client relationships
• Supporting proposals, tenders and work winning
• Mentoring and developing junior ecologists
• Providing technical guidance across the team
• Working collaboratively with other environmental disciplines
• Helping shape the continued growth and development of the ecology service
About you
You will ideally have significant experience within UK ecological consultancy and be comfortable taking responsibility for technical delivery, projects and client relationships.
The team is particularly interested in people with:
• Strong UK ecological consultancy experience
• Protected species survey licences, ideally including bats
• Experience producing EcIAs, ES Chapters and HRAs
• Experience acting as Named Ecologist on EPS mitigation licences
• Good knowledge of UK environmental legislation and planning policy
• GIS and Biodiversity Net Gain experience
• Project management and client liaison experience
• Experience supporting or mentoring other ecologists
• Full CIEEM membership
• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification
• Full UK driving licence
An MSc or PhD is desirable but not essential. Additional protected species licences, botanical skills or other ecological specialisms would be welcomed.
What is on offer?
Alongside a salary from £40,000, the package includes:
• Four-day working week trial, Monday to Thursday at full pay
• Flexible hybrid and remote working
• Private medical healthcare, including mental health, dental, optical and physiotherapy support
• Annual leave above the statutory minimum
• Enhanced company sick pay
• Paid CIEEM membership
• £750 annual training budget, with further funding available for specific development goals
• Company vehicle or mileage support for project travel
• High-quality fieldwork equipment
• Loyalty bonuses of £2,000 after five years, £4,000 after ten years and £6,000 after fifteen years
• Dog-friendly office
• Regular socials
• Friendly, informal and supportive team culture
This is an opportunity for an experienced ecologist who wants to continue progressing professionally while working somewhere that recognises that recovery time, flexibility and enjoying the people you work with matter too.
Interested?
Apply through environment.jobs or contact Vicky Kenrick at Ocean to Earth Recruitment for a confidential conversation.