Ecologist position at Arbor Vitae Environment Ltd
At Arbor Vitae, our small and friendly team is firmly committed to environmental sustainability, whilst balancing the needs of nature, people and business. Working with landowners, householders, public bodies and businesses, we’re proud to help them achieve this balance in a sensitive and pragmatic way.
We have been operating for over 35 years in a wide range of disciplines including ecological assessments, agricultural and rural environmental management, and woodland/forestry. With our workload currently expanding, we are looking for an accomplished ecologist to assist us in this exciting period of growth.
Projects will take you throughout Shropshire, the Welsh borders, Wales, the West Midlands and occasionally farther afield.
About you
Along with being able to work well with fellow colleagues, we hope you will be comfortable in developing and managing your own projects where self-reliance and initiative will be needed. We anticipate that you will be passionate about wildlife and be able to share this with a wide range of clients through your excellent communication skills.
Our team values a healthy work-life balance, and we are proud to offer:
- Flexible office hours.
- Local work: You would rarely be required to travel further than an hour from Shrewsbury.
- Working from home opportunities.
- Overtime is paid for, and at a higher additional rate.
In the role, you can expect:
- Salary: £32,000-£35,000 depending on experience.
- 28 paid holiday days (including bank holidays), plus 1 additional day of holiday for each year of service (up to 5 years).
- Pension contributions.
- A budget for paid training courses towards Continuing Professional Development.
- Professional membership paid for.
- All mileage fully imbursed.
- Working with a small and inclusive team.
- Casual dress code.
Desirable:
- Level 1 bat survey licence in England and/or Wales.
- Experience using QGIS or ArcGIS for habitat mapping purposes.
- Level 1 GCN survey licence in England and Wales.
- Specialism in a particular protected species group.
- Experience of preparing Natural England mitigation/Natural Resources Wales development licences.
- Member of a professional body such as CIEEM.
We kindly ask that applicants only apply with the following essentials:
- Minimum 3 years’ experience working as an ecologist.
- Hold a good degree in ecology or a closely related subject.
- Experience of undertaking protected species surveys, such as those for bats, great crested newts or reptiles.
- Experience of undertaking Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment, and Ecological Impact Assessment.
- Possess good botanical ID skills.
- Experience of Biodiversity Net Gain Metric survey and assessment, using UKHab.
- Be self-reliant and comfortable with lone-working.
- Be reliable, flexible, and willing to assist with evening bat surveys between May and September.
- Have excellent organisational and timekeeping skills.
- Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle, insured for business use.
- An understanding of wildlife legislation, planning policy and processes.
- Excellent written skills and able to produce high quality reports.
- Happy to work in a small, friendly team and assist with various projects as they arise.
The application deadline is Friday 19th September 2025.
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 29th September 2025.
Please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected]
For information about us, please visit our website: https://www.arborvitae.uk.com/
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £32,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- Free or subsidised travel
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Shrewsbury SY3 5AL
