Securing your first ecology role is a major milestone and the position you start in can shape your career for years to come. Early decisions matter, as the support, exposure and development you receive at this stage often sets the foundation for long term progression.

Embankment Group has over five years’ experience recruiting within the ecology sector and we regularly speak with early career ecologists who are seeking guidance on securing their first role and understanding which opportunities will best support their development.

In my opinion, the firms best suited to early years ecologists are those that actively invest in personal development and help establish strong technical foundations. This is typically achieved through a balance of field experience and structured learning, giving you the confidence and understanding needed to progress over time.

Strong field skills form the basis of all ecological work. The more experience you can gain carrying out UKHab or Phase 1 surveys, protected species surveys, accurate data recording and using mapping tools, the better. Building a strong field reputation is one of the most valuable assets an early career Ecologist can have and it is important to avoid specialising too early.

Specialisms develop naturally over time. Even if you enjoy working with a particular species or environment, keeping your experience broad will help you identify where your strengths lie, where your professional networks develop and where long term demand for skills exists across the sector. I would also recommend avoiding freelancing too early on in your career as in general, you will not progress as quickly as an employed Ecologist.

Typically, licences become increasingly important as your careers progresses. In Embankment Group’s latest ecology jobs market report, a Natural England bat level 2 licence was, for the fourth year running, the most in demand licence across the UK, with strong demand for bat experienced ecologists also seen in Ireland. Ecologists with around two years’ experience are often expected to hold or be working towards at least one licence, with great crested newt and water vole being common examples. By four to five years, many Ecologists hold two or more licences. While licences are not essential for all roles, they clearly demonstrate professional development and commitment to learning. To support licence applications, early years ecologists should consistently log survey activity and ensure their contributions to reports are signed off as evidence.

Report writing forms a substantial part of ecological consultancy and early career ecologists should not shy away from contributing wherever possible. Over time, we consistently see that ecologists who develop strong report writing skills tend to progress more quickly in their careers.

In this year’s ecology market report, we have also seen a noticeable shift towards companies encouraging more office-based working. This is largely driven by a desire to better support early career development through mentoring, collaboration and exposure to project delivery. Taking advantage of time in the office can significantly improve confidence and overall sector understanding.

When working in the field, it is equally important to protect your wellbeing. Ecology often involves unsociable hours and long travel, so early career ecologists should feel comfortable discussing rest, workload and learning time with employers. Getting a balance is essential and this is not always the case!

In conclusion, the best advice is to join a company that can offer a genuine balance of field and office-based experience. A dedicated learning and professional development budget, or at the very least a clear written commitment to your development, is essential. Spend as much time as possible shadowing senior colleagues in the field, in the office and in stakeholder settings, as this exposure is invaluable