Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist
Home based, with office options available.
Permanent - Full Time
£35k - £45k + Car/Car Allowance + Flexible Benefits
Summary
Freedom Environmental Land Management and Ecology team continues to grow and welcome new opportunities, we have an exciting and rewarding new post to fill We're looking for an experienced, forward thinking and dedicated Senior Ecologist to oversee projects resulting in tangible benefits to biodiversity.

The Senior Ecological Consultant will be a key part of the strong delivery team, working closely with the Principal Ecological and Environmental Consultant, providing technical oversight and delivery of land management activities across multiple work streams

Across multiple frameworks Freedom delivers advice on Environmental Land Management Strategy and Planning, Habitat Creation, Restoration and Management, Ecological Surveys and Impact Assessment, Biodiversity Net Gain and Monitoring, Ecological Compensation Strategies, Forestry and Woodland Management, Agricultural Land Management and Scheme Advice, Landscape Assessments, Land Restoration and Soils Advice, Drainage, Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance, Appointment and Management of Contractors, Stakeholder Liaison, Reporting and a wide range of other land management related activities. Freedom manages delivery from scoping, all the way through to completion, including all aspects of health and safety
Home based, with office options available, with occasional travel required across the England and Scotland.

**Some of the key deliverables in this role will include**:

- Reviewing and analysing a range of species and habitat survey reports.
- Contributing to, producing, overseeing, and reviewing high quality ecological reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA).
- Undertaking, overseeing, and reviewing Ecological Surveys, including Extended Phase 1, UKHab and Protected Species Surveys.
- Contribution to, producing and overseeing habitat management plans.
- Contribution to, producing and overseeing BNG assessments.
- Planning of field survey logistics, and preparation and implementation of survey methods.
- Compilation of project specific desk studies and literature reviews.
- Presentation, and interpretation, of data to contribute towards survey, monitoring and management reports.
- Overseeing, or acting as, Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) to deliver onsite ecological supervision/auditing/support.
- Data gathering and mapping using GIS, including QGIS
- Understanding, writing and reviewing risk assessment and method statements for safe site work.
- Managing projects and supporting office management and administrative tasks.
- Contributing towards bids, tenders and budget and project finance management.

**What we’re looking for**:
If the above sounds exciting and something you're well versed in, then we'd love to hear from you
We're looking for an experienced, forward thinking and dedicated Senior Ecologist to oversee projects resulting in tangible benefits to biodiversity.

**You must have Qualifications and experience in**:

- Associate or Full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
- To hold an in-depth knowledge of ecology and survey techniques.
- At least 4 years of demonstrable consultancy experience (or equivalent within the industry) reflecting the elements listed above.
- Confident in Phase 1 habitats/UKHab surveys and good botanical skills.
- Confident in field survey covering a range of British wildlife (typically including bats, badger, birds otter, water vole, GCN, etc.). Species specialisms are welcomed, however an awareness of protected and priority species and habitat’s role in wider ecosystems is also essential.
- A good understanding of current wildlife and environmental legislation, policy trends, standards and established ecological guidance.
- Protected species class licence holder (bats as a preference) - Desirable.
- Having been a Named Ecologist or an Accredited Agent on EPSL’s and badger mitigation licences - Desirable.
- Full UK driving licence.
- A positive, ambitious, determined and pragmatic outlook.

**Benefits**:
We're always evolving our benefits to ensure we're attracting and retaining great people. Some of what you can expect includes:

- Competitive Salary on Offer
- Car/Car allowance
- Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution
- Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
- Private Medical Insurance
- Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
- Flexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes.
- Personal development programme

**Next Steps**:
As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment a