Senior Ecologist - Ecology Job in Crawley, West Sussex - £36,000 - £43,000

Autonomous role, team building opportunity, strong project ownership across South East

Job Summary

Senior Ecologist Job Crawley offers a hybrid role within the ecology sector, based in Crawley, West Sussex, with a salary of £36,000 to £43,000. This position focuses on delivering ecological consultancy services across the South East region. The role combines field surveys with office-based technical reporting.

You will lead protected species surveys and complete habitat assessments. You will also contribute to EcIA and environmental reporting outputs. This opportunity supports full project lifecycle ownership from initial survey through to client delivery.

You will manage projects and maintain client relationships. The role includes mentoring junior ecologists and supporting their development. This position suits someone seeking progression into a leadership pathway. Projects vary across infrastructure, development, and environmental planning sectors. The role provides strong exposure to consultancy delivery and technical responsibility within a growing regional team.

About the Company

This established practice operates within the environmental consultancy sector across the UK. The organisation delivers ecological and environmental services to both public and private sector clients. Their projects span infrastructure, development, and conservation-focused work.

The team operates with a collaborative and supportive culture. Staff are encouraged to take ownership of their work and develop professionally. The business is currently evolving its structure following recent organisational changes. This creates opportunities for growth and team expansion.

Employees benefit from structured development pathways and technical training support. Hunter Dunning supports candidates through confidential discussions and application guidance aligned with long-term career goals.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead protected species and habitat surveys across South East sites to support ecological assessments and planning requirements
• Manage small to medium ecological projects from inception through to delivery and client handover
• Prepare high quality technical reports including PEAs, EcIAs, and environmental statement chapters
• Maintain strong client relationships through regular communication and professional consultancy delivery
• Contribute to tender submissions and support business development activity within the regional team
• Provide mentoring and technical guidance to junior ecologists to support their progression and capability
• Ensure compliance with UK ecological legislation and planning policy within all project outputs
• Balance fieldwork and office responsibilities to deliver projects efficiently and within agreed timelines

Skills & Experience Required

• Minimum 3 years consultancy experience within ecology delivering surveys and technical reporting outputs
• Strong report writing ability with experience producing PEAs, EcIAs, and protected species documentation
• Experience leading protected species surveys such as bats, GCN, dormice, or similar licensed work
• At least one protected species licence or advanced botanical skills at FISC level 4 or above
• Proven project management experience with client liaison and delivery responsibility
• Knowledge of UK and EU ecological legislation and planning policy frameworks
• Full UK driving licence with willingness to travel and stay overnight when required
• Membership of CIEEM or eligibility to obtain membership with support from the organisation

Salary & Benefits

• Salary ranging from £36,000 to £43,000 depending on experience and technical capability
• 33 days annual leave with options to buy, sell, or carry forward additional days
• Employer pension contributions increasing annually up to a maximum matched level
• Private medical insurance and income protection following successful probation completion
• Death in service benefit providing four times annual salary coverage
• Professional membership fees reimbursed annually to support career development
• Flexible working arrangements supporting hybrid working and work life balance

Who Is This Role Ideal For?

This role suits an experienced ecologist seeking greater responsibility and autonomy. It is ideal for someone ready to manage projects independently. Candidates should enjoy both fieldwork and technical reporting responsibilities. This position benefits individuals motivated by career progression into senior or principal roles.

It suits those who want to shape a growing regional team. Strong communicators who enjoy client interaction will perform well here. The role also fits those who value professional development and structured support. Senior Ecologist Job Crawley provides an excellent step for candidates wanting leadership exposure within a consultancy environment.

About Hunter Dunning

Hunter Dunning is a specialist property and built environment recruitment consultancy established in 2004, focused on quality and long-term partnerships in the UK and Ireland property and construction market.

We specialise in full lifecycle property recruitment, covering architecture, interior design, surveying, land and planning, fire safety and wider construction roles. We offer informed and confidential discussions for both clients and candidates and welcome conversations about this opportunity and your wider career plans within the built environment.

Apply

If you meet the criteria above, send us your CV and portfolio. We receive a large number of applications so if you do not hear back within 7 days consider your application unsuccessful this time.

We will keep a copy of your details on file for future vacancies. In accordance with GDPR, by applying for this position you give us your consent to process your data in-line with our Privacy and Data Protection Policies which can be read on the privacy policy page on our website.

Referral

Did you know we run a referral scheme? We pay a £1000 referral bonus if you introduce us to anyone who we then successfully place in a new job role. Just send us their information and we’ll do the rest.

Terms: A candidate is deemed successfully placed once they have started a new job from a Hunter Dunning introduction and completed probation. See website for full terms & conditions.

Senior Ecologist Job in Crawley – Your Property Recruitment Specialists ( Job Ref: 1332779)