Principal Ecologist
- Application closes: 01/03/2024
- Renumeration: Salary Negotiable (starting at £41,000pa)
- Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)
We are currently recruiting for a high-calibre principal ecologist to join the existing ecology team. An exciting position has become available due to the continued growth and success of the business, and the successful candidate will be joining a well-established company near Bristol specialising in ecology and environmental consultancy. This role would suite a candidate who wants to help drive up the standard of our ecology projects. You will be providing support in all aspects of the ecology teams work. This is a busy role, which involves “mentoring” mindset and support to talented people within our existing ecology team. The post holder must be able to prioritise effectively and work to tight deadlines on his/her own initiative. This role would suit an ambitious senior consultant that is looking to move to a growing business, or an experienced principal ecologist looking to diversify their work and help shape a thriving consultancy.
This role would be perfect for a well-rounded consultant who wants to manage a growing team, ensuring we maintain our quality, culture and performance. The project-based nature of our work means the candidate must be willing to undertake some survey work (majority of our projects are local/within 1 hour drive), and we work hard to ensure our team members achieve a work-life balance (Abricon Limited operates a 4-Day-Work-Week – reduced hours/same pay) and meet their personal and career objectives. We also have caps on the numbers of evening/night work or antisocial hours worked.
We work across the UK with the majority of our projects across the South West.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Five or more years’ experience in working in consultancy;
- Higher level report such as EcIA, EPS License preparation, HRA and ES chapters;
- Genuine and demonstrable enthusiasm for ecology and the environment;
- Experience of line managing or providing guidance to junior members of an ecology team;
- Survey licence for one or more protected species e.g. bats/ newts/dormice or a demonstrable specialist in other taxa (i.e. botany);
- Strong grasp of Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, Phase 1 or NVC/UK Habitat surveys and/or protected species surveys;
- Experience of designing and implementing mitigation;
- Experience of providing technical review of ecological reports;
- Motivated to work both independently and as part of a team;
- Good communication skills with colleagues, clients and third parties;
- Full or chartered member of CIEEM (or eligible if not currently held); and
- Full driving licence and use of own car.
Desirable skills:
- Experience of sales/ business development, or willingness to learn;
- Advanced skills in one or more specialist ecological area e.g. bats;
- Demonstrable enthusiasm/ skills in one or more specialist ecological area e.g. bats, newts, botany;
- Degree or equivalent in an ecology related discipline;
- Experience of using QGIS or ArcGIS (training provided if not);
- Have held European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licences for protected species e.g. great crested newt or bats; and
- Hold specialist mitigation class licences such as Bat Low Impact Class licence or Badger class licence.
The candidate must live within commuting distance to Long Ashton in Bristol or be willing to relocate. However many of our staff mix working from home and the office on a flexible basis.
Please apply with CV and covering letter to: jprapotnikova@abricon.com
Interviews will be held in March/April 2024.
Ecologist/Senior Ecologist
- Application closes: 01/03/2024
- Renumeration: Expected Salary: Ecologist £28,000 - £35,000, Senior Ecologist £36,000 - £40,000
- Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)
We are currently recruiting for a high-calibre ecologist to join the existing ecology team at a consultant ecologist or senior ecologist level. An exciting position has become available due to the continued growth and success of the business, and the successful candidate will be joining a well-established company near Bristol specialising in environmental consultancy. You will be providing support in all aspects of the ecology teams work. This is a busy role, which involves dealing with a wide range of matters, sometimes of a confidential nature and will include interaction with clients. The post holder must be able to prioritise effectively and work to tight deadlines on his/her own initiative.
The project-based nature of our work means the candidate must be willing to undertake some survey work (majority of our projects are local/within 1 hour drive), and we work hard to ensure our team members achieve a work-life balance (Abricon Limited operates a 4-Day-Work-Week – reduced hours/same pay) and meet their personal and career objectives.
Roles & responsibilities (exact responsibilities will depend on the experience of the successful candidate)
- Manage ecology projects;
- Be able to work independently and undertake ecological fieldwork at sites throughout the UK
- Prepare fee proposals for new projects;
- Report writing;
- Biodiversity Net Gain tasks;
- Resource management, timekeeping and budgeting;
- Liaise with clients, other organisations and lead ecology team members to promote strong working relationships and effective communication;
- Desk based tasks which may include carrying out data searches, data analysis and evaluation of results, impact assessments;
- Design and implementation of mitigation strategies, including the production and submission of EPS licence applications;
Essential skills and qualifications
- Experience in environmental/ecological consultancy (minimum of 2 years);
- Experience of undertaking ecological surveys in the UK, with a detailed knowledge of UK ecology and survey techniques;
- Experience in Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and calculations;
- Experience in the design and implementation of mitigation works;
- The ability to prepare reports to the highest standard;
- Thorough understanding of UK nature conservation legislation and planning policy;
- Experience of client liason and preparation of quotes;
- Ability and willingness to travel for survey work and to work away from home;
- Current UK driving licence and access to own vehicle;
- An ecological degree or related subject (or equivalent experience).
Desirable
- Licenses to survey for protected species;
- Experience of writing and submitting successful European Protected Species Licence applications;
- Have held licenses issued by Natural England/ Natural Resources Wales to permit works affecting protected species (such as bats, great crested newts, dormice and badgers)
- Experience of preparing ecological chapters of Environmental Impact Assessments
Please apply with CV and covering letter to: jprapotnikova@abricon.com
Interviews will be held in March/April 2024.
Assistant Ecologist
- Application closes: 31/03/2024
- Renumeration: Expected Salary: £22,000.00 - £27,000.00 per year
- Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)
We are currently looking for an Assistant Ecologist to join our Ecological Consultancy team based in Bristol. This is an exciting role where you will have the opportunity to work alongside a small team of Ecologists at a friendly micro company.
This will be a fantastic opportunity for the right candidates to build on existing knowledge and skill sets, supported by motivated colleagues. Abricon specializes in terrestrial ecology, working mainly in south west England.
The project-based nature of our work means the candidate must be willing to undertake survey work (majority of our projects are local/within 1 hour drive), and we work hard to ensure our team members achieve a work-life balance (Abricon Limited operates a 4-Day-Work-Week – reduced hours/same pay) and meet their personal and career objectives.
Work will include evenings and overnight/dawn bat surveys and you would be expected to be available on Monday to Thursday evenings during the bat survey season (April-October). Occasional weekend work is also expected.
We look forward to employing aspiring ecologists who can hit the ground running. If you think this is you, apply with your CV and brief cover letter detailing how you meet the job description.
The successful candidates will:
- Have a degree in a relevant discipline.
- Have prior experience of working in the industry (desirable).
- Have experience in protected species surveys (dormice, great crested newts, bats, reptiles, badgers and phase I/Preliminary Ecological Appraisals) (desirable).
- Will be self-driven and motivated, with personal achievement goals.
- Be a member of CIEEM or qualify for membership.
- Have an understanding of UK legislation, planning processes and the sector in general.
- Have experience in Microsoft basic packages (Word, Excel etc.)
- Have a full driving licence free of endorsements and have their own car for use for work journeys.
- Be physically fit enough to work on large outdoor sites.
The role includes:
- A competitive salary commensurate with experience and skills.
- One-to-one training on protected species surveys, ecological report writing and strong support for professional development, including opportunities for attendance of training courses.
- Opportunities to advance your communication skills with clients.
- Colleagues to support your career development.
- Career development within friendly growing company.
Expected start date: April 2024
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Please apply with CV and covering letter to: jprapotnikova@abricon.com
Field Surveyor/Seasonal Ecologist
- Application closes: 01/10/2024
- Renumeration: Competitive - dependent on experience
- Location: Bristol (Long Ashton)
We are looking for motivated, hard-working field surveyors to assist with the ecological surveys during the survey season (April/May – September/October). It is a great opportunity for local students or graduates considering career in ecological consultancy. This is a part-time zero hours contract position with flexible hours (the hours of work are to be flexible and are not guaranteed each week).
The role of the field surveyor will be to assist with undertaking ecological surveys (Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, Bat Surveys, Reptile Surveys, Badger Surveys, Dormouse Surveys…).
Experience and skills:
- An interest in ecology and conservation – essential
- Enthusiasm for, and willingness to spend long days and nights working outside in British weather conditions – essential
- Be available on a short notice – preferred
- Valid current driving license and access to a car – preferred
Assistance is required from April/May – September/October. Costs associated with the field work (travel, lunch etc.) will be covered. Hourly pay will depend on experience. Although this is a casual position, applicants must be reliable and committed to their role.
All applicants must be able to get to our office in Long Ashton reliably, including outside of normal public transport operating hours due to the night time nature of our work.
If you are interested in this position, please email your CV and likely availability (how many days/evenings a week you are available and when you can start) to: ecology@abricon.com
If you would like further information on the position please contact us on 01275 391297 and ask to speak with a member of the ecology team.
We are collecting CVs at the moment and will be selecting people for an interview in March-April and then, if required, periodically throughout the survey season.