Ecological Consultant – Bristol
Location: Bristol | Hybrid Working
Embankment Group is working on behalf of an established environmental consultancy that is looking to strengthen its Bristol ecology team with the appointment of an Ecological Consultant.
This is a strong opportunity for an ecologist looking to develop their consultancy experience while working on a varied portfolio of projects across Bristol, the South West and wider UK.
You will join a supportive and collaborative ecology team, working alongside experienced ecologists and specialists from a range of environmental and technical disciplines. The position offers exposure to projects of varying scale and complexity, allowing you to build experience across field surveys, ecological assessment, Biodiversity Net Gain, reporting, client liaison and project delivery.
Our client places a strong emphasis on professional development and provides access to structured training, mentoring and technical support. There will also be opportunities to develop specialist areas of interest, work towards protected species licences and take on greater project responsibility as your career progresses.
Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are available, with a balance of office, home and site-based working depending on project requirements.
The Role
Your responsibilities will include:
- Planning and undertaking a range of ecological field surveys.
- Completing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and habitat assessments.
- Undertaking and supporting protected species surveys.
- Carrying out Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and contributing to biodiversity strategies.
- Preparing ecological reports, including PEAs, protected species reports, method statements and management plans.
- Supporting the preparation of tenders, fee proposals and project scopes.
- Identifying appropriate ecological avoidance, mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures.
- Working alongside GIS specialists and multidisciplinary project teams.
- Supporting projects through the planning and development process.
- Liaising with clients and other project stakeholders.
- Managing your own workload and gradually taking greater responsibility for project delivery.
- Contributing to a collaborative and supportive ecology team.
- Undertaking internal and external training to continue developing your technical and consultancy skills.
About You
We are interested in speaking with ecologists who can demonstrate a combination of the following:
- A relevant degree or equivalent experience within ecology, environmental science or a related discipline.
- Professional experience within ecological consultancy, environmental planning or a regulatory environment.
- Experience undertaking habitat and protected species surveys.
- An understanding of UK ecological legislation, planning policy and industry guidance.
- Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain and experience contributing to BNG assessments.
- Strong technical report-writing skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- A practical and solutions-focused approach to ecological constraints.
- Confidence working independently and as part of wider project teams.
- Membership of CIEEM, or progress towards professional membership.
- Experience using digital field data collection platforms such as Field Maps, Survey123, Coreo or similar would be advantageous.
Career Development
The role would suit someone who wants to continue building broad ecological consultancy experience while developing their own technical interests.
You will have access to experienced technical specialists, mentoring and ongoing professional development, with opportunities to build expertise in areas such as protected species licensing, Biodiversity Net Gain, ecological mitigation, project management and client engagement.
There is clear scope to progress as your technical capability, commercial awareness and project responsibilities develop.
For further information or a confidential discussion about the Ecological Consultant position in Bristol, please contact Embankment Group.
