Required Skills Ecological Surveying Biodiversity Net Gain Ecological Mitigation Design Habitat Survey Biodiversity Assessment Ecological Impact Assessment ield Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) Job Summary Our Client, a leading design & engineering consultancy, is seeking a Senior or Principal Ecologist to join their team in the Epsom/London area. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in ecology, with a strong passion for implementing biodiversity net gain, supporting the carbon net-zero agenda, and contributing to innovative nature-based solutions across a variety of market sectors. Experience - Ideally, you would have the following qualifications/experience: - Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or equivalent, and chartership (CEcol or CEnv). The client to cover membership costs. - A degree in ecology or a closely related field (desirable but not essential). - Demonstrable project management experience including technical, financial and quality assurance aspects. - Strong botanical skills, including Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) level 4, or demonstrable botanical ability matching this level. - Strong working knowledge and experience of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric. - Demonstrable experience of undertaking Biodiversity Net Gain assessments. - Strong skills in report writing, including preparing Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, - - Biodiversity Chapters for Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessment (including Appropriate Assessment). - Experience of undertaking quality assurance and technical lead roles for projects. - Demonstrable experience of working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and familiarity with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, including expert witness, would be viewed favourably. - Protected species survey licence(s). - A full, clean UK driving licence. Job Responsibilities Leading on nationally important infrastructure projects, managing project programmes and budgets. Collaborating with their multi-disciplinary teams and undertaking stakeholder engagement. Planning and undertaking field surveys; analysing and interpreting survey results. Designing and co-ordinating ecological mitigation. Authoring and checking/reviewing a range of ecological reports and licence applications. Providing support and mentorship to other team members, particularly early careers staff. Managing work enquiries, preparing bids and building client relationships. Building and maintain strong working relationships with team, colleagues, clients and external bodies. Supporting the development of a portfolio of ecological work in the Southern region, by building a network with both internal and external clients within the South England region and UK-wide.