Location
Hampshire, Hertfordshire or Gloucestershire (Ashwell, Basingstoke, or Tewkesbury offices)

Hours
Full Time - 9 month fixed-term contract

Salary
£27,000 per annum

About the Role
CSA Environmental is a multi-disciplinary consultancy with a team of over 45 ecologists, working with a diverse range of clients including major UK housebuilders, conservation bodies, councils, infrastructure providers, and private landowners. Our ecologists undertake a wide variety of work including habitat banks, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, biodiversity net gain assessments, and detailed species surveys. As an Assistant Ecologist, you will join a busy and expanding team, contributing to high-quality ecological services and helping to deliver excellent work for our clients.

Your responsibilities will include assisting with UK Habitat Classification surveys and protected species surveys for species such as badgers, bats, dormice, otter, water vole, birds, reptiles, and great crested newts. You will help coordinate survey work and maintain survey equipment including infra-red and thermal cameras and bat detectors. You will also complete desktop studies, obtain and interpret biological records, and review online mapping and data sources. Use of QGIS and other graphics software will be required to prepare technical drawings such as Habitat Plans and Biodiversity Enhancement Plans, and to measure habitat areas for Biodiversity Net Gain metrics. Additionally, you will assist in preparing technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments, protected species survey reports, mitigation strategies, and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans.

CSA is a Registered Practice with CIEEM and has been twice commended in their medium-sized Consultancy of the Year Award. As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, you will have opportunities to collaborate with landscape, masterplanning, and heritage colleagues, broadening your understanding of planning and development. Joining CSA means becoming part of a friendly, professional network committed to shaping a more sustainable future.

Experience
- Interest in UK ecology and wildlife legislation
- Evidence of developing ecological field skills
- Proficient in MS Office software
- Physical fitness and willingness to work outdoors in all weather
- Willingness to undertake up to 3 night-time surveys per week during peak season, including overnight stays (accommodation and subsistence paid)
- Full UK driving licence and use of own car insured for business use

About You
- Friendly, highly motivated, conscientious individual with a passion for ecology and consultancy
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Hard-working and willing to take on new challenges
- Highly organised, able to multi-task and a strong team player
- Forward thinking with a keen interest in latest survey techniques, guidance, and innovations

Qualifications
- Relevant ecology or biology degree (preferably 2:1 or above)
- Desirable: Protected species or habitat survey experience, possibly with an area of specialism
- Desirable: Interest in or working towards protected species survey licences and botanical qualifications
- Desirable: Experience using QGIS or other GIS packages and bat sound analysis software
- Desirable: Membership of CIEEM or other relevant professional bodies