Senior Ornithologist / Ecologist


Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Salary:	£34,000 - £45,000
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	York, M1 1AA
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	11 Aug 2026
Closing date:	2 Sept 2026

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Summary

Your new company

An established and rapidly growing environmental consultancy is seeking a Senior Ecologist / Ornithologist to join its expanding team.

Operating across a diverse portfolio of projects including residential, infrastructure, renewable energy and mixed-use developments, the business is recognised for delivering high-quality environmental advice and innovative solutions throughout the planning and development process.

Your new role

As a Senior Ecologist / Ornithologist, you will play a key role in delivering a range of ecological and ornithological projects across the UK. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will manage projects from inception through to completion, providing technical expertise, client support and mentoring to junior team members.

Key responsibilities will include:

Leading ornithological and ecological surveys and assessments.

Managing breeding bird, wintering bird and species-specific survey programmes.

Producing a range of technical reports, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and ornithological assessments.

Advising clients on ecological legislation, planning policy and mitigation strategies.

Supporting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments and habitat management initiatives.

Managing project budgets, programmes and stakeholder relationships.

Providing technical guidance and mentoring to junior colleagues.

Contributing to business development and helping to secure new project opportunities.

What you'll need to succeed

To be considered for this position, you should have:

A degree in Ecology, Ornithology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.

Significant experience within ecological consultancy.

Strong ornithological survey and assessment experience.

Excellent knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and planning policy.

Experience managing ecological projects and client relationships.

Membership of CIEEM or working towards Chartered status.

Strong technical report writing skills.

A full UK driving licence.

Desirable experience includes:

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.

UKHab surveys and habitat management planning.

Protected species licences.

EIA experience.

What you'll get in return

Competitive salary of £34,000 - £45,000 (DOE) and annual salary reviews.

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

Generous annual leave entitlement.

Professional membership fees paid.

Structured training and CPD support.

Pension scheme and additional employee benefits.

Clear pathways for career progression.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

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