Careers

Location: Based in Kent (with flexibility to work remotely from East Sussex or Surrey), or Sussex (with flexibility to work remotely form Kent or Surrey).

Salary: From £32,000 (dependent on experience and protected species licences)

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We are seeking a Senior Ecologist / Project Manager to join our growing team based in Kent or Sussex, with flexibility for cross region remote working.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecologist looking to step up into a senior role, or for an established Senior Consultant seeking a new challenge and the chance to play a key role in a developing and ambitious business.

About the Role

You will be responsible for managing a variety of ecological projects and contributing to technical work across a range of disciplines. The role offers the opportunity to undertake a broad range of survey work, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs), mitigation and habitat creation, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and protected species surveys, including European Protected Species Mitigation Licence (EPSML) applications.

You will work closely with the Kent-based or Sussex based team and collaborate with colleagues across the wider business. Depending on your experience, you will also have opportunities to mentor and coach junior colleagues, as well as manage projects or tasks within multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing and delivering a range of ecological projects from inception to completion

• Preparing high-quality proposals, reports, and technical documents

• Undertaking and overseeing ecological and protected species surveys

• Preparing and submitting EPSML applications

• Liaising effectively with clients, consultees, and other environmental disciplines

• Supporting and mentoring junior team members

• Ensuring work is completed to the highest technical and professional standards

About You

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in ecology or a related subject

• Minimum of five years’ experience in a similar consultancy role

• Ideally hold at least two protected species survey licences (a bat licence is preferable)

• Experience preparing and submitting EPSMLs

• Strong understanding of protected species technical work and ecological legislation

• Experience with project management, client liaison, and proposal preparation

• Full membership of CIEEM (or eligibility to apply /upgrade)

• A valid UK driving licence and willingness to work flexible hours and travel to sites as required

• An MSc or PhD in a relevant subject is desirable but not essential

• Experience with other protected species or as a botanist would be advantageous

What We Offer

Four-Day Working Week Trial (2026)

We are currently running a company-wide four-day working week trial (March–December 2026), where staff work Monday to Thursday at full pay. Friday is a non-working day for most roles. We are committed to finding sustainable ways of working that genuinely support our people’s wellbeing.

Competitive salary from £32,000

Dependent on experience and licences held.

Comprehensive private medical insurance

Full Vitality health cover including:

• Hospital and consultant fees

• Inpatient and outpatient care

• Mental health support

• Optical and dental cover

• Physiotherapy

• Diagnostic cover and therapies

Annual leave above the statutory minimum

Our annual leave entitlement is above the statutory minimum and has been adjusted proportionally to reflect our four-day working week — so the real value of your leave remains strong.

Flexible travel support

Option to use a company vehicle or claim mileage for project-related travel.

Professional development and CIEEM membership

Full coverage of your CIEEM membership fees, a £750 annual training budget, and access to larger budgets for specific training goals.

High-quality fieldwork equipment

Access to well-maintained, up-to-date equipment to support your fieldwork — including night vision aids that have been part of our kit for over 12 years.

Hybrid flexible working

Two days per week in the office, with the rest worked flexibly from home or in the field.

Company sick pay

Enhanced sick pay above the statutory minimum, so you can focus on getting better.

Loyalty bonus

• £2,000 after 5 years

• £4,000 after 10 years

• £6,000 after 15 years

A team that values your contribution

A friendly, sociable, and inclusive working environment where your ideas and efforts are genuinely recognised.

We have long prioritised making working hours more manageable for our staff. As early adopters of night vision aids, we were quick to remove dawn bat surveys from staff workloads - and our four-day working week trial is the latest step in that ongoing commitment to our people.

We welcome applications from individuals who believe a high-performance working style balanced with a meaningful recovery time, would enable them to thrive.

To apply for this role please email your CV and a covering letter to HR@ecologyco-op.co.uk

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and recognise the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on objective criteria and without regard to age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation; protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

Our organisation is committed not only to meeting its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

Location: Based in Kent (with flexibility to work remotely from East Sussex or Surrey), or Sussex (with flexibility to work remotely from Kent or Surrey).

Salary: From £27,500 (dependent on experience and protected species licences)

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We are seeking a Consultant Ecologist to join one of our growing teams based in Kent or Sussex, with flexibility for cross region remote working.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Assistant Ecologist looking to step up and progress, or for an established Consultant Ecologist seeking a new challenge and the chance to play a key role in a developing and ambitious business.

About the Role

In this role, you will have the opportunity to undertake a wide range of ecological survey work. The successful candidate will bring experience in project management, proposal preparation, collaboration with other environmental disciplines, and effective liaison with clients and consultees.

You will support a variety of projects, working closely with clients and consultants while collaborating with professionals across multiple environmental fields. Your work will include contributing to Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs), mitigation and habitat creation, biodiversity impact calculations, and protected species surveys.

This role requires flexibility to work unsociable hours and to travel or very occasionally stay away from home where necessary.

You will work closely with the Kent-based or Sussex based team as well as with colleagues across the wider business.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertaking a variety of ecological surveys, including protected species work

• Preparing high-quality proposals, reports, and technical documents

• Liaising effectively with clients, consultees, and other environmental disciplines

• Contributing to proposal preparation for new projects and tender submissions

• Supporting and mentoring junior team members

• Ensuring work is completed to the highest technical and professional standards

• Staying up to date with relevant environmental legislation and industry best practices

• Willingness to work outside of standard hours.

About You

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in ecology or a related subject

• Minimum of two years’ experience in a similar consultancy role

• Ideally hold at least one protected species survey licence

• Experience writing accurate high-quality reports

• Strong understanding of protected species technical work and ecological legislation

• Experience with project management, client liaison, and proposal preparation

• Associate CIEEM membership (or eligibility to apply /upgrade)

• A valid UK driving licence and willingness to work flexible hours and travel to sites as required

• Demonstrable proficiency in GIS and a good working knowledge of BNG would be advantageous

• An MSc or PhD in a relevant subject is desirable but not essential

• Experience with other protected species or as a botanist would be advantageous

What We Offer

Four-Day Working Week Trial (2026)

We are currently running a company-wide four-day working week trial (March–December 2026), where staff work Monday to Thursday at full pay. Friday is a non-working day for most roles. We are committed to finding sustainable ways of working that genuinely support our people’s wellbeing.

Competitive salary from £27,500

Dependent on experience and licences held.

Comprehensive private medical insurance

Full Vitality health cover including:

• Hospital and consultant fees

• Inpatient and outpatient care

• Mental health support

• Optical and dental cover

• Physiotherapy

• Diagnostic cover and therapies

Annual leave above the statutory minimum

Our annual leave entitlement is above the statutory minimum and has been adjusted proportionally to reflect our four-day working week — so the real value of your leave remains strong.

Flexible travel support

Option to use a company vehicle or claim mileage for project-related travel.

Professional development and CIEEM membership

Full coverage of your CIEEM membership fees, a £750 annual training budget, and access to larger budgets for specific training goals.

High-quality fieldwork equipment

Access to well-maintained, up-to-date equipment to support your fieldwork.

Hybrid flexible working

Two days per week in the office, with the rest worked flexibly from home or in the field.

Company sick pay

Enhanced sick pay above the statutory minimum, so you can focus on getting better.

Loyalty bonus

• £2,000 after 5 years

• £4,000 after 10 years

• £6,000 after 15 years

A team that values your contribution

A friendly, sociable, and inclusive working environment where your ideas and efforts are genuinely recognised.

We have long prioritised making working hours more manageable for our staff. As early adopters of night vision aids we were quick to remove dawn bat surveys from staff workloads - and our four-day working week trial is the latest step in that ongoing commitment to our people.

We welcome applications from individuals who believe a high-performance working style balanced with a meaningful recovery time, would enable them to thrive.

To apply for this role please email your CV and a covering letter to HR@ecologyco-op.co.uk

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and recognise the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on objective criteria and without regard to age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation;

protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

Our organisation is committed not only to meeting its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

Location: Based in Kent (with flexibility to work remotely from East Sussex or Surrey), or Sussex (with flexibility to work remotely from Kent or Surrey).

Salary: From £40,000 (dependent on experience and protected species licences)

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We are seeking a Principal Ecologist to join our growing team based in Kent or Sussex, with flexibility for cross region remote working.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Ecologist looking to step up and progress, or for an established Principal Ecologist seeking a new challenge and the chance to play a key role in a developing and ambitious business.

About the Role

You will provide leadership and guidance to a team of ecologists, defining structured development pathways and ensuring high standards of technical delivery. You will lead on a range of ecological projects, working across multiple disciplines and contributing technical expertise to ensure high quality, integrated environmental outcomes.

In this role, you will help to drive business growth by identifying opportunities, contributing towards environmental strategies, frameworks and bid development, ensuring ecological perspectives are embedded at every level.

You will work closely with the Kent-based or Sussex based team as well as with colleagues across the wider business.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading a variety of ecological surveys, including protected species work

• Preparing high-quality proposals, reports, and technical documents

• Liaising effectively with clients, consultees, and other environmental disciplines

• Contributing to proposal preparation for new projects and tender submissions

• Supporting and mentoring junior team members

• Ensuring work is completed to the highest technical and professional standards

• Staying up to date with relevant environmental legislation and industry best practices

• Willingness to work outside of standard hours.

About You

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in ecology or a related subject

• Proven senior background within consultancy demonstrating strong leadership, technical capability, and the ability to mentor and manage junior staff

• A minimum of ten years’ experience in a comparable consultancy role

• Ideally holds at least two protected species survey licence (bat licence preferred)

• Skilled in producing EcIAs, ES Chapters and HRAs

• Experience acting as the Named Ecologist on EPS mitigation licences

• Able to deliver accurate, high-quality reports

• Demonstrable knowledge of environmental legislation and planning policies

• Experience with project management, client liaison, and proposal preparation

• Proficient in GIS and BNG assessments

• Full CIEEM membership

• Holds a valid UK driving licence and is willing to work flexible hours and travel to sites as required

• An MSc or PhD in a relevant subject is desirable but not essential

• Additional capability with other protected species or botanical skills would be advantageous

What We Offer

Four-Day Working Week Trial (2026)

We are currently running a company-wide four-day working week trial (March–December 2026), where staff work Monday to Thursday at full pay. Friday is a non-working day for most roles. We are committed to finding sustainable ways of working that genuinely support our people’s wellbeing.

Competitive salary from £40,000

Dependent on experience and licences held.

Comprehensive private medical insurance

Full Vitality health cover including:

• Hospital and consultant fees

• Inpatient and outpatient care

• Mental health support

• Optical and dental cover

• Physiotherapy

• Diagnostic cover and therapies

Annual leave above the statutory minimum

Our annual leave entitlement is above the statutory minimum and has been adjusted proportionally to reflect our four-day working week — so the real value of your leave remains strong.

Flexible travel support

Option to use a company vehicle or claim mileage for project-related travel.

Professional development and CIEEM membership

Full coverage of your CIEEM membership fees, a £750 annual training budget, and access to larger budgets for specific training goals.

High-quality fieldwork equipment

Access to well-maintained, up-to-date equipment to support your fieldwork.

Hybrid flexible working

Two days per week in the office, with the rest worked flexibly from home or in the field.

Company sick pay

Enhanced sick pay above the statutory minimum, so you can focus on getting better.

Loyalty bonus

• £2,000 after 5 years

• £4,000 after 10 years

• £6,000 after 15 years

A team that values your contribution

A friendly, sociable, and inclusive working environment where your ideas and efforts are genuinely recognised.

We have long prioritised making working hours more manageable for our staff. As early adopters of night vision aids, we were quick to remove dawn bat surveys from staff workloads - and our four-day working week trial is the latest step in that ongoing commitment to our people.

We welcome applications from individuals who believe a high-performance working style balanced with a meaningful recovery time, would enable them to thrive.

To apply for this role please email your CV and a covering letter to HR@ecologyco-op.co.uk

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and recognise the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on objective criteria and without regard to age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation;

protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

Our organisation is committed not only to meeting its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.