We are recruiting for an Assistant Ecologist to join our Brighton Team.
About csa
We work with a range of clients, including some of the largest housebuilders in the UK, as well as conservation bodies, councils, infrastructure providers and private landowners (including habitat bank development and small private projects).
As an enthusiastic and passionate member of the team, you will help play a key role in delivering high quality survey and reporting. You will help promote our culture of equality, diversity and inclusion and at CSA you’ll join a network of professionals, helping to shape a more sustainable future. CSA have recently been featured in the 2025 ‘Best Workplaces’ list and in 2024 we were highly commended in the CIEEM Medium Sized Consultancy of the Year Award.
Our experienced staff have exceptional technical expertise and as a multi-disciplinary consultancy, you will have the opportunity to work with landscape, master planning and heritage colleagues to develop a broader understanding of planning and development, as well as with a close, friendly and inspiring team of experienced ecological colleagues. Reflecting the high-quality ecological services that CSA deliver, we are a CIEEM Registered Practice.
Responsibilities
Joining our busy and expanding team you will have a fantastic opportunity to learn and to develop your skills. 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, reptiles and great crested newts, amongst others.
- 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.
- Using QGIS and other graphics packages to prepare high quality technical drawings such as Habitats Plans and Biodiversity Enhancement Plans and to measure habitat areas for use with the Biodiversity Net Gain metric.
- Assisting with technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments, protected species survey reports, mitigation strategies, Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans and more.
About you
We are looking for friendly, highly motivated, conscientious individuals, who demonstrate a passion and enthusiasm for ecology and consultancy. You must also be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:
Essential
- Relevant ecology / biology degree (preferably 2:1 or above)
- Knowledge of UK flora and fauna and key wildlife legislation
- Evidence of developing ecological field skills
- Excellent written English and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint)
- Hard-working and willing to take on new challenges
- Physical fitness and a willingness to work outside in all weather, when required
- Highly organised, able to multi-task and a strong team player
- 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 occasional overnight stays (accommodation and subsistence paid)
- Full UK driving licence and own car insured for business use
Desirable
- Protected species / habitat survey / botanical experience, possibly with an area of specialism
- Interested in and/or working towards protected species survey licences (especially bat licence)
- Experience of using QGIS or other GIS packages
- Membership of / eligibility to join relevant professional body
What we offer
Assistant Ecologist Position: We are offering a nine month full-time contract, with the opportunity for this to become permanent if all goes well. Salary range £25,000 – £27,000 per annum.
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:
- Hybrid working available, with the option to work from home up to 2 days a week
- 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 per annum 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
- Laptop for hybrid working and mobile phone allowance
- Extensive internal training, plus 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 strong commitment to employee wellbeing, including access to an extensive Employee Assistance Programme and in-house mental health first-aiders
CSA is 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.
