Principal Ecologist

Job Title: Principal Ecologist

Ref. No.: CJD12025J

Location: Cambridge

Salary: 43,000 - 53,000

This is a fantastic opportunity to join my client, a trusted, innovative multidisciplinary consultancy, lending their specialist services to a diverse range of projects across the ecological landscape. My client is seeking a driven, experienced Principal Ecologist, willing to take on challenging projects alongside a growing team of professionals, across the renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure landscapes, based in the richly-cultural, academic city of Cambridge.

Benefits for the role of Principal Ecologist (but are not limited to):

• A competitive salary

• Generous annual leave entitlement

• Flexible working opportunities, and Time off in Lieu (TOIL)

• A collaborative working environment, encouraging innovative, diverse ideas

• Accredited professional training programmes

• Extensive career progression opportunities

Responsibilities for the role of Principal Ecologist include:

• Managing complex, high-profile work across the ecology sector, to include renewable energy, residential, and commercial projects throughout the East of England

• Authoring and reviewing ecological reports, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA), and Environmental Statement (ES) Ecology Chapters

• Providing in-house training, support, and line management to other members of the team

• Working collaboratively with other ecologists

• Engaging with clients and stakeholders, including Local Authorities and other public and private bodies

• Completing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments, interpreting and evaluating the data across the Biodiversity Metric, delivering practical solutions to clientele

• Managing projects, including the preparation of fee proposals and tenders, adhering to budgetary allowances and agreed timescales

• Designing and implementing Ecological Mitigation Strategies, including Mitigation Licences for a range of endangered species (namely bats, dormice, water voles, badgers, and great crested newts)

Required skills and experience for the role of Principal Ecologist include:

• Hold a Bachelor's and/or Master's Degree (or equivalent qualification) in Ecology (or similar, relevant discipline)

• Have a full Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)

• Hold a minimum of one Protected Species Survey Licence

• Excellent working knowledge of the relevant planning systems and environmental legislation across the UK

• Competent in UK Habit Classification and Habit Condition Assessments

• Experienced in designing and carrying out a number of ecology surveys, utilising findings to inform ecological assessments, delivering practical solutions to clientele

• Demonstrable experience in designing and delivering ecological mitigation, including Protected Species Licensing, and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW)

• Excellent time management skills

• Outstanding communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills

• Hold a full, valid UK driving licence (with Business Insurance), with a willingness to travel to various regional sites

Desirable skills and experience for the role of Principal Ecologist include:

• Hold Protected Species Survey Licences for bats and great crested newts

• Possess a Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) Level 4

• Have a willingness to stay overnight at some sites across the East of England region

If you are interested in the role of Principal Ecologist, please do not hesitate to contact the Ecology Team at Penguin Recruitment. Please also see our website for a range of other roles currently available. This is a permanent role. Penguin Recruitment is operating as a recruitment agency in respect to this vacancy.