Principal Ecologist

Job Description

Principal Ecologist

Location: Scotland (Hybrid – Edinburgh, Inverness, Angus or Banchory)
Salary: £45,000 – £55,000
Type: Permanent, Full-time

We are working with a fast-growing, mission-driven environmental organisation at the forefront of nature-based solutions and large-scale habitat restoration across Scotland.

With an expanding portfolio of projects, the business is seeking a Principal Ecologist to play a key role in leading ecological delivery, shaping internal capability, and supporting high-impact restoration programmes.

This is a hands-on position offering genuine scope to influence how ecological work is delivered within a rapidly scaling organisation operating in a complex and evolving sector.

Key Responsibilities

Ecology & Field Leadership

• Lead ecological surveys and monitoring programmes across a diverse project portfolio
• Act as the organisation’s internal ecological specialist, providing technical oversight and guidance
• Design, undertake and quality assure surveys, including one or more of the following:
  • Protected species
  • Upland breeding birds
  • Botanical and habitat assessments
• Oversee and manage ecological subcontractors and specialist survey teams
• Establish robust ecological baselines to inform project design and long-term monitoring

Technical & Regulatory Support

• Apply ecological best practice across all project stages, from feasibility through to delivery and monitoring
• Support consenting processes, including engagement with regulators and stakeholders
• Provide expert input into protected species licensing and designated site consents
• Ensure compliance with relevant environmental legislation and policy frameworks

Team Development & Knowledge Sharing

• Train and mentor internal staff in ecological survey techniques and field skills
• Support the development of internal standards, methodologies and guidance
• Contribute to building in-house capability across upland and habitat restoration ecology

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with regulators, statutory bodies and environmental stakeholders
• Work collaboratively with landowners and project partners to align ecological and land-use objectives
• Provide clear, professional communication of ecological findings and recommendations

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Support the adoption of new tools and techniques, including remote sensing and digital data capture
• Contribute to the development of best practice in an evolving sector
• Identify opportunities to improve ecological outcomes and project delivery approaches

About You

You are an experienced and confident ecologist with strong field skills and a passion for delivering meaningful environmental outcomes. You enjoy working both independently and as part of a collaborative team, and are comfortable taking ownership of ecological delivery within complex projects.

Essential

• Approximately 5+ years’ experience in ecology, with strong field survey capability
• Experience in one or more of:
  • Protected species surveys (e.g. otter, water vole)
  • Upland ornithology
  • Botanical and habitat surveys
• Experience managing subcontractors or external ecological consultants
• Working knowledge of the Scottish regulatory environment
• Strong communication and reporting skills
• Ability to work in remote field environments

Desirable

• Full CIEEM membership
• Experience with habitat classification systems (e.g. NVC)
• Knowledge of upland or peatland ecosystems
• Protected species licences
• Experience mentoring or training junior staff
• Familiarity with tools such as GIS, remote sensing or LiDAR

Benefits

• Hybrid working
• Private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• 5% Company pension scheme
• Performance-related bonus scheme
• Life assurance

Why Apply?

This is a unique opportunity to join a purpose-led organisation tackling climate and biodiversity challenges, where your work will directly contribute to large-scale environmental restoration and long-term ecological improvement.