Principal Ecologist

Greenwillows Associates Ltd.

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Who We Are

Established in 2004, Greenwillows Associates is a forward thinking, independent
ecological consultancy based in the heart of the Cambridgeshire countryside.

We conduct a wide variety of ecological surveys across Central and Eastern England as well as
providing arboricultural consultancy and practical habitat creation/management services.

Our commitment to nature conservation is central to our business values, whilst balancing this
with our duty to our clients. We proactively choose work that closely aligns with our
conservation values, for example current projects include writing and enacting a 5-year
management plan for nightingale habitat creation, and monitoring and advising on a rewilding
project for a local authority.

The Role

Greenwillows Associates is looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic Principal Ecologist to
join the team on a part-time/job share basis (2-3 days per week). You would be sharing the role
with another Principal Ecologist and together, would both play a key role in managing and
developing the ecology team.

This role would provide you with an opportunity to gain exposure to a wide variety of projects
and clients and further develop your career in all aspects of consultancy work.

You would be involved in all areas of our work, jointly managing a team of
ecologists and subcontractors. You would coordinate ecological surveys and mitigation,
supporting staff, writing reports, and reviewing technical work, whilst liaising with clients
and their design teams, as well as LPAs.

You would work closely with the other Principal Ecologists, and the Senior Management Team. You
would have direct input into the strategic management of the ecology branch of the business,
and the opportunity to contribute to influencing the business’ values, mission, and goals.

What We Offer

  • Flexible working arrangements: We pride ourselves on being a family friendly, inclusive
    business, that places importance on our staff’s wellbeing. Our current staff have various
    flexible working arrangements to suit their individual needs and personal responsibilities.
    This role could accommodate home based working with some hours outside of regular office hours,
    if this was desirable to the right candidate.
  • Competitive salary: We regularly review
    our pay scales to ensure we remain competitive and offer clear paths for promotion and salary
    increases based on regular performance reviews.
  • Training: We offer a generous CPD budget, paid CIEEM membership and personal survey
    licences, and encourage attendance at conferences where relevant.
  • Local field work: We have a strong local client base and pride ourselves on
    working on sites predominantly in our region, limiting the need for our staff to be working
    away from home.
  • Diverse portfolio of work: We are fortunate to already have a diverse range
    of work; however, as a forward-thinking company we strive for continual improvement and
    proactively seek opportunities to expand our team’s skill set and our subsequent range of
    services that positively challenge, but also inspire our staff. 

What We Are Looking For

You will:

  • Have relevant professional ecological experience (ideally a minimum of 8 years’ relevant work
    experience in ecological consultancy)
  • Hold a personal survey licence and be competent in the survey of, and mitigation for, at
    least 2 protected species.
  • Hold full membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
    (CIEEM).
  • Have proven botanical skills, ideally at a FISC Level 4 or above (or a willingness to achieve
    this, we will provide training and assessment).
  • Have the ability to undertake habitat surveys using UKHabs and use the Biodiversity Metric to
    accompany planning applications.
  • Have a professional, enthusiastic, and positive approach and be able to engage successfully
    with clients and stakeholders.
  • Have proven project and staff management experience in a senior role.
  • Have excellent knowledge of UK and European environmental legislation.
  • Have excellent report writing skills with experience of writing PEARs, EcIAs, EPSL
    applications and ecological management plans. Ideally have experience writing ES chapters and HRAs.
  • Have experience in acting as final quality assurance for others’ technical reports.
  • Be confident and able to manage own workload, be proactive in managing projects and be able
    to delegate and provide support to junior staff as appropriate.
  • Have a BSc/MSc or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.
  • Have a full clean UK driving licence and access to your own transport.

How To Apply

If this is the role for you, please apply by emailing your CV and a covering letter
to Claire Parnwell: [email protected]

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (vacanciesin.eu) you saw this job posting.

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