Senior or Principal Ecologist - Sheffield
East Midlands, North West • Up to £58K + exceptional benefits • Ref: 1224
Posted 12th January 2026
My client is seeking a Senior Ecologist to help establish and lead ecological work from their Sheffield office. Applications are also welcomed from ecologists operating at Consultant or Principal level, offering flexibility for the right individual.
This is a standout opportunity for an ambitious and confident ecologist who wants to play a key role in building a growing regional presence, supported by an experienced and well-resourced national ecology team. If you are motivated by responsibility, influence and clear progression, this role offers a genuine platform to accelerate your career.
As part of a multi-disciplinary consultancy, you will work closely with colleagues across planning, landscape and masterplanning, gaining valuable exposure to the wider development process and helping to deliver outcomes that balance people and nature. The Sheffield office offers a collaborative environment alongside a small, friendly team of allied professionals.
The Role
The role offers a varied and engaging project portfolio, with involvement from early strategic planning through to delivery on the ground. You will coordinate and deliver high-quality ecological work, take ownership of projects and play an active role in recruiting, mentoring and developing junior ecologists.
As a senior member of the team, you will be client facing and technically hands-on, leading protected species surveys and overseeing technical outputs including PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments and mitigation strategies.
About You
You will be an enthusiastic, organised and proactive ecologist with strong technical capability and the confidence to help grow a new team.
Essential experience includes:
A relevant ecology or biology degree, ideally 2:1 or above
Protected species survey experience, including personal species survey licences
Strong habitat survey experience, including UKHab, with sound botanical skills
Excellent knowledge of UK wildlife legislation
Clear, confident written and verbal communication skills
Competence with MS Office and QGIS
A collaborative, hardworking approach with the ability to manage multiple projects
A forward-thinking mindset and interest in new guidance, methods and innovation
Willingness to undertake a fair share of night-time surveys, typically one or two per week during the main season, with occasional overnight stays
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use
Membership of CIEEM at ACIEEM level or above
Desirable experience includes:
A strong technical specialism, such as bats, ornithology or botany
A Level 2 bat licence
FISC Level 3 or above
What’s On Offer
My client is committed to creating a supportive, flexible and rewarding working environment, with a strong focus on wellbeing and professional development.
The benefits package includes:
Competitive salary, typically £35,000 to £43,000 for a Senior Ecologist, Up to £58,000 for a Principal
Permanent, full-time contract
Hybrid working, with up to two days per week from home
Flexible working around core hours
Annual profit-related and performance-based bonus
Paid overtime for out-of-hours survey work
25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 with service, plus a winter shutdown
Enhanced pension contributions with length of service
Annual staff trip and regular team social events
Annual company and ecology team days with internal and external speakers
Mobile phone and fieldwork clothing allowance
Generous training budget and clear commitment to CPD
Paid professional subscriptions and licence fees
Employee wellbeing support, including access to an Employee Assistance Programme
Contact Us
If you are interested in finding out more about this position or similar roles currently and would like a discreet non-committal chat, please contact Jeremy Money (jeremy@jsm-associates.co.uk). However, if you have not received a response within with-in one working week, please assume your application has been unsuccessful this time round. We will confidentially retain your details and inform you of any other suitable opportunities arising should you not be successful in this role.
This is one of a number of exciting positions currently available via JSM Associates. JSM offers an extensive range of jobs in the areas of Planning, CSR & Sustainability, Environmental Management, Remediation & Contaminated Land, EIA and Ecology, Geotechnics, Environmental Planning, Air Quality, Noise and Vibration Landscape.
Phone - 01934 312 155
Email - jeremy@jsm-associates.co.uk
Website - www.jsm-associates.co.uk
Twitter - @JSMAssociates
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