Assistant Ecologists - multiple vacancies - Birmingham

Thomson Environmental Consultants Birmingham, United Kingdom Terrestrial Ecology
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Company Description

Thomson Environmental Consultants are experts in environmental compliance. Our specialist teams have been advising our clients across various sectors on how to achieve their objectives and meet required environmental compliance since 2004. We cover a breadth of specialisms and are always pragmatic with our advice. With offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Guildford, Leeds and Manchester, our teams provide: ecological advice; undertake surveys and assessments; habitat design and creation; ecological contracting; invasive species management; freshwater and marine consultancy; arboriculture consultancy and contracting; data management and mapping; and marine laboratory services (invertebrates, fish and sediment analyses).

You can find out more about the type, size and scope of the projects we work on here: https://www.thomsonec.com/projects/

You’ll be joining a company which is ambitious, progressive, rapidly growing and offers certainty in times of change - one where you play a key part in shaping the future and where you will be directly rewarded for your contributions to its growth, as we are proudly employee owned. We are constantly innovating and being opportunistic to market changes. This is demonstrated through many recent in-house development projects and the addition of climate change and biodiversity net gain to our commercial offering to our clients. It really is an exciting time to join #teamthomson!

Our workplace is happy and friendly - we are commercial but not corporate, guided by our values of Respect, Integrity, Support and Excellence. As an Employee Owned Trust (EOT) our collective efforts generate results that translate into greater rewards for everyone. You’ll enjoy all the benefits we have to offer including, a fantastic induction and on the job training, EOT approved bonuses (after a qualifying period), 25 days annual leave (pro rata), free parking (location dependent) and regular social events, with the odd cake thrown in for good measure!

Position

We have multiple opportunities for Assistant Ecologists to help support our terrestrial ecology teams throughout the UK. We are particularly keen to hear from those who hold a GCN or bat licence or are proactively working towards gaining their licence.

This is a great opportunity to learn some practical survey and mitigation techniques, in a range of species and habitats, as well as gaining experience of working in a busy independent environmental consultancy. Many of our previous assistant ecologists have gone on to secure full time permanent positions with us.

You’ll need to be fully available from early–mid May until October 2021, have a car, full UK driving licence and be willing to travel and stay away from home regularly. Accommodation and mileage will be paid for, and a generous subsistence allowance will be given when staying away from home. Ideally, you will be located within 1 hour’s commute from our offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Guildford, Leeds or Manchester or be willing to relocate.

Requirements

Successful candidates will have

  • a degree in ecology or a related field, or suitable relevant experience
  • the right to work in the UK
  • a valid driving licence and vehicle, insured for business use
  • experience of ecological survey and mitigation work
  • the ability to travel and stay away at survey sites in various locations around the UK
  • confidence to work independently, and as part of a team
  • self-motivation with the ability to learn quickly.

Ideally, successful candidates will also have the following

  • experience of leading small teams
  • a protected species licence e.g. GCN, bat or dormouse
  • membership to the Chartered Institute of Ecological and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
  • a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card
  • First Aid at Work certification.

Other information

These are full-time, fixed-term positions, ideally starting early May and ending in October with the opportunity to apply for a permanent role at the end of the season. We have multiple vacancies based at all of our offices. Successful candidates must live within an hour’s commute of one of our offices (Birmingham, Cardiff, Guildford, Leeds, or Manchester). Work will be a mixture of site, office and remote - expect to be away from home regularly. There may be an expectation to work in the office, when not resourced to site.

COVID-19 statement

All our work activities are risk assessed including COVID-19 safety provisions when working on site, in the office and around the country. Our risk assessments are frequently reviewed by our HSQE Manager in accordance with the latest government guidelines. Our offices are set up in accordance with government guidelines to enable appropriate social distancing and to ensure safe working for our teams. Every reasonable effort is made to ensure our employees can work safely.

What can you expect from us? Read some of our employee testimonials:

“Within my first year as an assistant ecologist at Thomson, I undertook bat, reptile, GCN, and phase 1 surveys for the company, on large and small scale projects. I thoroughly enjoyed my first survey season with Thomson, they provided good training and are committed to your personal development within the company and as an ecologist“- Katie R

“It is a strange feeling being in a place where you're excited to go back to work on Monday, and that's because I love the team I work with“- Luke M

“I have been a member of the Habitats Team for over a year and a half. Our team is friendly, everyone is really supportive and we encourage each other to do our best. One of the surprises about my role was the amount of variety, no two days are the same! I find that I am constantly learning new things and there are plenty of opportunities for me to develop my knowledge and skills. Thomson as a company are very invested in their staff, which helps to create a welcoming environment” – Tori O