Ecologist

Role overview

Maydencroft is hiring an Ecologist to join its consultancy team, working from either the Letchworth Garden City office or the Windsor office. This is a chance to grow your career in a supportive, ambitious consultancy setting while contributing to a varied portfolio of ecological projects.

The role suits someone who is driven, enthusiastic, and confident working across commercial, public, private, utility, and charity workstreams. You will build technical capability alongside an experienced multi-disciplinary team that includes ecological, landscape, arboricultural, and forestry consultants, as well as wider colleagues such as arborists, foresters, grounds staff, landscape operatives, and farmers.

The business places strong emphasis on professionalism, sound judgment, flexibility, and consistently high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Carry out ecological field surveys for projects such as Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, protected species surveys, and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Prepare technical reports, survey records, and mitigation measures.
• Help senior team members produce Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments, and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans.
• Communicate with clients, contractors, and project teams in a professional and assured manner.
• Support project delivery, including meeting deadlines and keeping an eye on budgets.
• Provide ecological input and guidance to colleagues across the wider organisation when needed.
• Keep field records accurate and maintain a high level of detail and quality.
• Assist seasonal staff where required.

Requirements

• A degree in ecology or a closely related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in ecological consultancy or a similar discipline.
• FISC Level 3 or above.
• Associate membership of CIEEM is desirable.
• Good knowledge of relevant legislation and protected species guidance.
• Hands-on experience with habitat surveys and protected species surveys.
• Strong field surveying background.
• Excellent report-writing ability.
• Experience using GIS software.
• Clear, professional communication skills.
• A full, clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel.
• Desirable: FISC Level 4 or higher.
• Desirable: Protected species licences.
• Desirable: Project management experience.
• Desirable: Understanding of the UK planning system and experience supporting development-related work.
• Workplace: based at One Garden City, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3BF or Pigeon House Farm, Dorney, Windsor SL4 6QB, with hybrid working opportunities.
• Contract: permanent role, subject to a successful 6-month probation period.
• Working pattern: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Equal opportunity statement: applications are welcomed from all suitable candidates, including people from underrepresented groups and those with protected characteristics.
• The employer may appoint before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

Perks and benefits

• Starting salary from £32,000.
• 22 days of annual leave plus public holidays, increasing by 1 day for each full year of service up to 27 days.
• Company vehicle for commercial use.
• Training and development support, including FISC exam opportunities.
• Professional membership fees covered.
• Supportive, multi-disciplinary team environment with opportunities to broaden your experience.
• Annual pay reviews linked to performance.
• Company pension auto-enrolment after 3 months.
• Medicash membership after successful completion of probation.
• Company sick pay.
• Flexible working options.
• Referral bonuses.
• Bike2Work scheme.

Additional information

Maydencroft Limited is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunity across its employment practices and wider relationships with employees, contractors, customers, suppliers, and everyone it works with. The company actively encourages applications from underrepresented groups and people with protected characteristics.