Ecologist / Senior Ecologist

We are recruiting for Ecologists/Senior Ecologists to join our team in the beautiful rural village of
Ashwell, Hertfordshire. As an enthusiastic and passionate member of the team, we want you to
play a key role in maintaining high standards and delivering high-quality work to our
ever-growing range of clients. You will help promote our culture of equality, diversity and
inclusion, where individuals from a range of backgrounds are encouraged to develop their skills
and careers within the company. When you join CSA, you’ll join a network of experienced
professionals, helping to shape a more sustainable future.

We work with a range of clients, including some of the largest house-builders in the UK. Our
experienced staff have exceptional technical expertise, which we work on a wide range of
fast-moving and exciting projects. As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, you will have the
opportunity to work with landscape, urban design and heritage colleagues to develop a broader
understanding of planning and development, as well as the field of ecology and biodiversity.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Joining our busy and expanding team (c.30 ecologists across all offices), you will have the
opportunity to work alongside a group of dynamic and experienced colleagues. No two days are
the same at CSA, with our variety of projects and clients offering diverse tasks and
opportunities. Alongside supporting more junior members of the team, you will also work with
our lead ecologists and play a significant, client facing role in project delivery. As well as
leading a range of protected species surveys you will prepare and/or oversee PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs,
BNG Assessments, mitigation strategies and much more. You will use QGIS and other graphics
packages to prepare high quality technical drawings such as Habitats Plans and Biodiversity
Enhancement Plans.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for friendly, highly motivated and conscientious individuals, who demonstrates a
passion and enthusiasm for ecology. For the Senior Ecologist role, you should be able to demonstrate the following skills
and experience:

Essential

• Relevant ecology / biology degree (2:1 or above desirable)
• Protected species survey experience, including some personal species survey licences
• Habitat survey experience (ideally with UKHabs) and sound botanical skills
• Strong working knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation
• Excellent written English and verbal communication skills
• Skilled with MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Hard-working and willing to take on new challenges
• Highly organised, able to multi-task and work effectively within our team of experienced
  ecologists
• Forward thinking, with a keen interest in staying up to date with the latest survey
  techniques, guidance and innovations
• Willingness to undertake 2-3 night-time surveys per week during the peak survey season,
  including occasional overnight stays (accommodation and subsistence paid)
• Full, clean UK driving licence, with own car insured for business use
• Membership of CIEEM (ideally ACIEEM or above)

Desirable

• An area of technical specialism where you could contribute strongly (e.g. ornithological or botanical skills)
• FISC level 3 or above 
• Working towards additional protected species survey licenses
• Expertise with QGIS or other GIS packages

WHAT WE OFFER

At CSA, a healthy work-life balance is very important to us and we seek to provide a
supportive, friendly and attractive place to work. In addition, we offer an exciting benefits
package, including:

• A permanent, full-time contract
• Hybrid working, with the option to work from home up to 2 days a week (following completion
  of probationary period)
• Flexible working around core hours
• Annual profit related and performance-based bonus scheme
• Overtime pay arrangement for out-of-hours survey work
• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with length of service
• Company pension contribution which increases with length of service
• Annual staff trip and regular funded team social events
• Annual ‘CSA Ecology Team Day’ with internal and external speakers
• Mobile phone allowance
• Commitment to continued professional development, including a generous training allowance
  for external training courses targeted at your own areas of interest and development
• Opportunities to explore ecological specialism
• Paid subscription to CIEEM and protected species licence fees
• A real commitment to employee wellbeing, including access to our Employee Assistance
  Programme and in-house mental health first-aiders

CSA Environmental is a carbon neutral company, committed to offsetting our carbon
footprint. CSA is also committed to encouraging equality and diversity amongst its staff and we
welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds. We aim to create an environment in
which individual differences and their contributions are recognised and valued.

To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter to Kate Hammond
([email protected]) or to discuss the role informally please contact Jamie
Woollam ([email protected]). First interviews will be held via Teams with an
opportunity to then visit the office at the second interview stage.