Lead Ecologist

Zulu Ecosystems’ mission is to regenerate natural ecosystems responsibly so that the planet and its communities can thrive. We combine proprietary technology and domainexpertisewith on-the-ground relationships tomobiliselandowners, investors, government bodies,and communities around large scale natureprogrammes.

Our primary focus in Scotland is on the natural regeneration of ancient woodlands, woodland creation, and peatland restoration. All of our projects seek to achieve the highest overall impact in terms of uplift on carbon, biodiversity, and water.

YOUR MISSION

AsLeadEcologist (Scotland),you will focus on baselineand conditionassessmentsurveysalong withground truthingouranalytics to support the design and delivery of a range of our projects across Scotland. Reporting to theRegenerationProgrammeManager(Scotland), and as a member ofourOperations team,your work willcontributeto our restoration projects' planning, design, implementation, and long-term management. Working closely with a multi-disciplinary team of colleagues, your work will help to ensure a range of ecosystem outcomes.

As a committed professional and experienced ecologist, you will seek to apply the highest standards of ecological integrity and project quality while remaining agile, creative, and practical in your approach to working with a range of ecosystems and stakeholders.

You will:

• Conduct habitat and species surveys to inform the design and implementation of ancient woodland restoration, woodland creation, and peatland restoration projects.
• Supportprojectmanagers by providingthenecessary surveys forancient woodland restoration,woodland creation,and peatlandrestoration in line with fundingrequirements.
• Ground truthinitialdesk-based project analytics.
• Undertake ongoing monitoring, reporting, and verification of our projects.
• Contribute to improving internal models and research on biodiversity indicatorsand potential uplift.

This role balances field work with desk-based responsibilities: you will undertake essential baselineand condition assessmentsurveysand ongoing monitoring and reporting. You will work directly with colleagues on designing and delivering on-the-ground projects. You will be providingimportant informationto ensure that projects are delivering on our commitment to achieve the highest overall impact on carbon, biodiversity, and water uplift.

YOUR PROFILE

• A loveof nature and a strong commitment to help solvethe climateand nature crises.
• Membership (or working towards membership) of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
• I have proven field surveying skills and competency in a variety of habitat and species survey techniques, including the National Vegetation Classification (NVC woodlands, grassland, and mires), breeding birds, herbivore impact assessment, woodland herbivore impact assessment, protected species, peat depth, and peatland condition assessment.
• Knowledge of processing techniques and manipulation of GIS datasets: proficiency in GIS mapping data and software and experience in digital field data collection and analysis.
• Experienced in data analysis and reporting.
• Independent, proactive, methodical,and data-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to manage a broad scope of work andsurveyseveral projects concurrently.
• Experience working in upland environments and remote lone working.
• Communicateand collaboratewith various stakeholders, includinglandownersandland managers.
• Driver’slicenseand willingness to travel within Scotland.

Nice to haves:

• Experiencedinsurveymethodologydesign and development.
• Abilityand willingnesstodeliversurveytraining tocolleagues and land managers.
• Thought leader with a keen interest in policy and practice and the ability toparticipatein industry consultations and discussions.