Principal Ecologist

Principal Ecologist
50,000 - 65,000 + Company Car + benefits
Home-based with weekly travel to offices and sites across the South East and South West

Are you ready to help shape an in-house ecology team that protects habitats and supports vital infrastructure delivery?

We are looking for a Principal Ecologist to join a leading UK principal contractor, turning over in excess of 2bn. This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the UK's leading infrastructure businesses and play a key role in delivering ecological support across major infrastructure projects. The team is expanding significantly, offering excellent long term career progression and exposure to a diverse range of projects, habitats and protected species work.

This is a hybrid role, with offices based across Oxfordshire, Beaconsfield, Bristol, Exeter, Cambridge, Suffolk, Ipswich, Luton or Winchester.

Key responsibilities of the Principal Ecologist:

• Lead and support habitat and species surveys, ensuring ecological requirements are met
• Manage ECoW requirements, impact assessments, licensing and mitigation activities
• Contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivery, including BNG condition assessment
• Engage confidently with project teams to coordinate priorities and expectations

The successful Principal Ecologist will have:

• Experience in field surveys and reporting, including UK Habitat Classification assessment, BNG condition assessment and protected species surveys
• Sound knowledge of ecological principles, legislation, policy and guidance
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities effectively
• Valid UK driving licence, with willingness to travel and stay away from home for short periods when required

If you're looking to join a supportive, values-driven team and make a tangible difference to biodiversity outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Reference - AL 4754

Irwin and Colton is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion please let us know if we can do anything to make the process more accessible to you.