Assistant Ecologists 2023

CSA is a multi-disciplinary consultancy spread across five offices in the southern half of England. Our Pershore office in Worcestershire is in a beautiful rural location, located within converted farm buildings on the side of Bredon Hill, enjoying panoramic views of the Malvern Hills. Our Winchester office is located in the historic and beautiful centre of the town and has views out over the cathedral.

We work with a range of clients, including some of the largest house-builders in the UK. Our experienced staff have exceptional technical expertise, which we deploy to support a range of fast-moving and exciting projects. As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, you will have the opportunity to work with landscape, urban design and heritage colleagues to develop a broader understanding of planning and development, as well as the field of ecology and biodiversity. Reflecting the high-quality ecological services that CSA deliver, we are past finalists for CIEEM’s Medium Consultancy of the Year award.

As an enthusiastic and passionate member of the team, you will help play a key role in maintaining high standards and delivering high-quality work to our ever-growing range of clients. You will help promote our culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, where individuals from a range of backgrounds are encouraged to develop their skills and careers within the company. When you join CSA, you’ll join a network of experienced professionals, helping to shape a more sustainable future.

Roles and responsibilities

Joining our busy and expanding team (c.30 ecologists across all offices), you will have the opportunity to grow alongside a group of dynamic and experienced colleagues. No two days are the same at CSA, with our variety of projects and clients offering diverse tasks and opportunities. Alongside assisting more senior members of the team, your key roles and day-to-day tasks are likely to include:

• Assisting with UK Habitat Classification surveys and protected species surveys for a range of species, including badgers, bats, dormice, otter, water vole, birds, great crested newts, amongst others.
• Assisting and coordinating survey work, including preparation and maintenance of latest survey equipment and technology (e.g. infra-red cameras, bat detectors).
• Completing desktop studies, obtaining and interpreting biological records and reviewing online mapping/data sources.
• Use of QGIS and other graphics packages to prepare high quality technical drawings such as Habitats Plans and Biodiversity Enhancement Plans.
• Assist with the preparation of technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, protected species survey reports, mitigation strategies and more.

About you

We are looking for a friendly, highly motivated, conscientious individual, who demonstrates a passion and enthusiasm for ecology. You must also be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Essential

• Relevant ecology / biology degree (2:1 or above desirable)
• Interest in UK based ecology and knowledge of wildlife legislation
• Excellent written English and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Hard-working and willing to take on new challenges
• Highly organised, able to multi-task and work effectively within our team of experienced ecologists
• Forward thinking, with a keen interest in staying up to date with the latest survey techniques, guidance and innovations
• Willingness to undertake 2-3 night-time surveys per week during the peak survey season, including overnight stays (accommodation and subsistence paid)
• Full, clean UK driving licence and own car insured for business use

Desirable

• Protected species / habitat survey experience
• Interested in and/or working towards protected species survey licenses
• Experience of using QGIS or other GIS packages
• Membership / eligibility to relevant professional body

What we offer

At CSA, a healthy work-life balance is very important to us. As well as a competitive salary, we offer an exciting benefits package, including:

• A six month contract is offered in the first instance, with a view to this becoming permanent if all goes well.
• Hybrid working available, with the option to work from home up to 2 days a week (following completion of probationary period)
• Flexible working around core hours
• Annual profit related and performance-based bonus scheme (for permanent staff)
• Overtime pay arrangement for out-of-hours survey work
• 25 days annual leave with allowance increasing with length of service
• Company pension contribution which increases with length of service
• Annual staff trip and regular funded team social events
• Annual ‘CSA Ecology Team Day’ with internal and external speakers
• Mobile phone allowance
• Extensive internal training program for assistant ecologists, and direct mentoring by a senior member of the team
• Commitment to continued professional development, including a generous training allowance for external training courses targeted at your own areas of interest and development
• Opportunities to explore ecological specialism, if desired
• Paid subscription to CIEEM and protected species licence fees
• A real commitment to employee wellbeing, including access to an extensive Employee Assistance Programme and in-house mental health first-aiders

CSA Environmental is a carbon neutral company, committed to offsetting our carbon footprint. CSA is also committed to encouraging equality and diversity amongst its staff and we welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds. We aim to create an environment in which individual differences and their contributions are recognised and valued.

To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter to Kate Hammond (kate.hammond@csaenvironmental.co.uk). First interviews will be held via Teams in mid-late March 2023, with an opportunity to then visit the office at the second interview stage. There is flexibility with respect to the actual job commencement date, but we hope this will be in April.