Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist

Location: Suffolk (based on site at Sizewell)

Full Time/Permanent

Up to £45k (depending on experience) + benefits.

Summary

We’re Freedom Professional Services - a vibrant, growing business in the sweet spot of Net Zero, where everyone's contribution is critical to our success. We are an independent consultancy with a difference, delivering solutions, not just reports.

We’re looking for someone amazing to join us in the role of Senior Ecologist, to act as technical ecology lead for Sizewell C and all associated work.

Some of the key deliverables in this role will include:

• Contribution to, producing and overseeing habitat management plans.
• 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), mitigation strategies and ecological working method statements.
• Undertaking, overseeing, and reviewing Ecological Surveys, including Extended Phase 1, UKHab and Protected Species Surveys.
• 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.
• Contributing towards bids, tenders and budget and project finance management.

What we’re looking for:

The successful candidate will be joining a team of professionals who work closely with colleagues in other disciplines such as Arboriculture, Land Access and Geomatics. We’re looking for someone with a positive, ambitious, determined and pragmatic outlook.

As someone experienced and knowledgeable in Ecology and Survey Techniques, you’ll also have experience of the below:

• Demonstrable consultancy experience (or equivalent within the industry)
• 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.
• Associate or Full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
• A good understanding of current wildlife and environmental legislation, policy trends, standards and established ecological guidance.
• A degree in Ecology, Biodiversity, Conservation Management, Environmental Science, or a relevant subject is preferred
• Protected species class licence holder (bats as a preference) is desirable
• Having been a Named Ecologist or an Accredited Agent on EPSL’s and badger mitigation licences is desirable
• Full UK driving licence.

Why Join Us?

1. Impactful Work: Contribute to meaningful projects that drive real environmental change.
2. Innovative Environment: Be part of a team that values creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
3. Professional Growth: Access to continuous learning opportunities and career development.
4. Collaborative Culture: Work with a diverse and supportive team that values everyone's input.
5. Sustainable Focus: Join a company committed to sustainability and the Net Zero movement.

Benefits:

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

• Salary sacrifice car scheme (Hybrid/Electric Vehicle)
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays with an option to Buy/Sell additional days
• Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution
• Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
• Flexible benefits to choose from inc: Dental Insurance, Gym Membership, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes.

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 and how we bring people into the organisation.  

We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. 

About Us: 

We are one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training. 

Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward-thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies. 

Progression is something we value, and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be.