Principal Ecologist

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.