Ecologist

Ecologist – Growing Environmental Consultancy

Renfrew (Hybrid)
Full-time, Permanent (part-time considered)
£32,000–£38,000 DOE

A well-established Scottish environmental consultancy is looking for an Ecologist to join their expanding team. If you’re looking for a role where you can take ownership of your work, strengthen your technical skills, and be part of a genuinely supportive group of professionals, this could be an ideal next step.

The company has a team of around a dozen people and prides itself on its collaborative culture. Junior and senior staff work closely together, and the business invests heavily in development - last year alone, the team logged over 600 hours of training.

About the Role

Working alongside senior ecologists and the leadership team, you’ll deliver ecological input across a wide range of projects. Your day-to-day work will include:

• Managing your own projects and delivering work to a high professional standard
• Undertaking PEAs, Phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species surveys
• Producing clear, accurate ecological reports
• Communicating findings and advising clients and project teams
• Building strong working relationships with clients, LPAs and statutory bodies
• Staying up to date with relevant legislation, policy and best practice
• Contributing to a positive health & safety culture and following internal procedures

The position includes both field and office work. You’ll need to be within a reasonable commute of the Renfrew office and comfortable with occasional early mornings, late evenings or overnight stays during peak survey periods.

Why Join This Consultancy?

You’ll be part of a company that genuinely invests in its people.

Benefits include:

• Ongoing CPD and structured training throughout the year
• Support towards gaining protected species licences
• Paid professional membership
• Hybrid working, with at least one home-working day encouraged each week
• Health insurance and standard pension
• TOIL and flexible working arrangements
• Options for 3- or 4-day working weeks
• A friendly, close-knit team that values collaboration and wellbeing

The company also takes sustainability seriously and actively encourages reduced commuting where possible.

Project Variety

You’ll gain exposure to a broad mix of work, such as:

• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals
• Protected species surveys
• Conservation-focused projects, including surveys on sites proposed for future protection
• Large infrastructure frameworks, including overhead line surveys and remote fieldwork
• Regional frameworks that may involve occasional overnight stays

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• A relevant degree and proven ecological experience
• Strong understanding of Scottish ecological legislation, policy and licensing
• Good working knowledge of survey methods and habitat classification
• Confident species ID skills across multiple groups
• Understanding of the mitigation hierarchy and licensing processes
• Familiarity with NPF4 and Biodiversity Net Gain
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable

• Protected species licences (bats, GCN, badger)
• Experience as a named ecologist on EPS licences
• QGIS experience