Senior Ecologist

Description:

Sweco is seeking a Senior Ecologist who is passionate about driving positive environmental change and contributing to the creation of sustainable communities. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and growing team that plays a central role in shaping biodiversity net gain, nature recovery, and natural capital initiatives across the UK.

At Sweco, you’ll be part of an organization that blends global expertise with local presence, designing sustainable solutions that transform societies and address the challenges of urbanisation and climate change. If you’re enthusiastic, curious, and ready for a meaningful challenge, this role is your chance to make an impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage small to medium-sized ecology projects from inception to completion, including liaising with project managers and clients.

• Conduct desk studies and preliminary ecological appraisals (PEA), including detailed habitat and species surveys, following UK legislation and best practices.

• Undertake analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of ecological data, presenting findings clearly in technical reports.

• Prepare high-quality technical documentation including ecological impact assessments, PEA reports, and protected species licence applications.

• Act as an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) on construction projects, ensuring environmental compliance and mitigation delivery.

• Support multi-disciplinary teams on large-scale projects, contributing ecological insights during design and delivery stages.

• Lead and mentor junior team members, promoting best practices in fieldwork and reporting.

• Support Sweco’s commitment to nature recovery and sustainable development, ensuring projects deliver long-term environmental value.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Proven experience managing ecology projects and liaising with clients and internal teams.

• Strong understanding of UK ecological legislation, survey methodologies, and best practices.

• Proficiency in conducting and interpreting protected species and habitat surveys.

• Excellent technical report writing skills (e.g., PEAs, EIAs, species licence applications).

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Earth Science, or a related discipline.

• Membership of CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) – desirable.

• Holding a protected species survey licence – desirable.

• Experience acting as an ECoW (Ecological Clerk of Works).

• A current and full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to site locations.

• Flexible, proactive, and adaptable approach—able to work occasional longer hours during peak survey periods.

Why Join Sweco

• Be part of a company that is transforming society through sustainable engineering and ecological excellence.

• Opportunity to work on high-impact, multidisciplinary projects across the UK.

• Support to develop new licences and technical expertise through structured professional development.

• Flexible working culture with hybrid options, adjusted hours, and time-off in lieu for additional survey hours.

• Inclusive and supportive workplace with a strong focus on equality, diversity, and work-life balance.

• Opportunity to join Sweco’s Talent Community and gain access to industry insights, events, and career development opportunities.