Consultant Ecologist

At Origin Enterprises, we are dedicated to championing sustainable land use, and our Environmental teams support a diverse range of clients and projects—from land management and development to restoration and conservation.

Joining us means becoming part of a collaborative, purpose driven community where this collective expertise enables us to deliver high quality, fully integrated solutions and contribute to meaningful environmental outcomes across the UK and Ireland.

About Keystone

As a growing ecological and arboricultural consultancy and contracting business, we are an SME with a practical, intelligent and pioneering approach to advising our clients. We blend traditional ecological services with innovation, hands-on habitat creation, restoration and compliance solutions. With over 24 years’ experience, we have established a reputation as one of the few end-to-end service providers in the UK.

Since 2022, we have proudly operated as an Origin Enterprises company, an international agronomy brand whose primary focus is sustainable land use through integrated innovative solutions. Our Origin connection provides our clients and employees with the benefits and opportunities associated with being part of a global leader in sustainability, including wider geographic reach and service offering, including investment in research and development.

At Keystone we pride ourselves on a professional family feel that attracts clients and employees alike. We share Origin’s values, People, Community, Partnerships, Integrity, and Innovation, which are reflected in all that we do and lie at the very core of our business.

We operate across a comprehensive range of sectors for public and private sector clients including supporting a number of the UK’s largest Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

Having established a first-class reputation for habitat creation, restoration, and mitigation, we specialise in conservation driven projects that focus on nature restoration and Biodiversity Net Gain at scale.

Role Overview  

As part of a CIEEM Registered Practice, we are committed to delivering high standards of professional practice, ethics and quality. The Consultant Ecologist plays a role in contributing to delivery of these standards. 

This role is responsible for delivering ecological surveys including data collection and reporting. The Consultant Ecologist is responsible for delivering ecological survey programmes. The successful candidate will deliver high quality ecological consultancy services, including project management and client communications. Good organisational skills and survey knowledge are essential. 

Prerequisites: 

• Qualifying Member of CIEEM (QCIEEM) or an equivalent chartered professional body. 

• Degree in Ecology, Biological Sciences, Environmental Studies or a related discipline. 

• Demonstrable ecological consultancy experience. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Deliver small-medium scale ecological consultancy projects. 

• Prepare technical reports including quality assurance of ecological projects. 

• Manage resource budgets to ensure successful delivery. 

• Communicate with clients, regulators and project teams. 

• Support business development including production of fee quotes. 

• Lead ecological surveys. 

• Work to high standards of health and safety, quality assurance and professional practice. 

Essential Competencies:  

Candidates must be able to demonstrate capability in the following areas: 

• Survey design, as well as species and/or habitat survey delivery

• Ecological assessment

• Advising on legal, policy and international standards and regulatory compliance

• Communication of technical information effectively to a range of audiences

• Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

• Delivering high standards of care and service for stakeholders
• Project management

Desirable Competencies: 

The ideal candidate will also be able to demonstrate foundation knowledge of: 

• Designing environmental management and/or mitigation plans

• Habitats regulations assessments, environmental impact assessment, ecological assessment, valuation of the environment and/or biodiversity net gain assessment

• Advising on legal, policy and international standards and regulatory compliance

• Undertaking standard and complex risk assessments

• Communication of technical information effectively to a range of audiences

• Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

• Managing quality and resources

• Information and document management and/or effective use of information technology

• Project management including programme and financial management

• Recruiting, leading and developing individuals

Why work for us?

We offer a competitive and supportive rewards package designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally. This includes Life Assurance, access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and paid professional memberships such as CIEEM. We’re committed to continuous development, offering a blend of internal and external training opportunities to help you grow your skills and advance your career.

As part of our inclusive culture, you’ll have the opportunity to join our monthly Neurodiversity Café, take part in community action days, and benefit from our family friendly policies, including enhanced family leave options. While we value time spent together in our offices to collaborate and stay connected, most roles offer hybrid working and open conversations around flexibility.

You’ll also enjoy 25 days’ holiday, regular performance and development reviews, and the chance to collaborate across the wider Origin Group, especially within our growing family of Environmental businesses.

We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be building a diverse, inclusive team where everyone can grow, contribute and feel valued.

Visit our website to learn more — and grow with us.

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