Associate Director (Ecology)

We would like an experienced and charismatic individual, someone who shares our vision and values and will inspire, support, and help grow the ecology team.

This is a full-time position, based at Head Office, although we are open to hybrid and flexible working, so this role may be suitable for candidates further afield.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead complex and challenging projects including client liaison, tender preparation, and financial control to ensure effective delivery to Keystone high standards with the support of the Technical Director;
• Input into resource and workload planning including effective line management of in-house and external staff;
• Fieldwork and technical report writing, including peer review and quality assurance;
• Business development including proactive development of client base and commercial opportunities and contribution of material that might be used for marketing collateral e.g. articles, blogs, case studies; and
• Support and contribution to the company vision and business objectives

Core Requirements:

• Varied experience within ecological consultancy sector
• Excellent technical report, fee proposal and tender writing capabilities;
• Ability to identify risks and opportunities, avoiding/minimising the former and capitalising on the latter;
• Experience of leading, mentoring and line managing internal employees and sub-contractors;
• A proven aptitude for understanding clients’ requirements and delivering these on time and within budget, without compromising industry standards;
• An excellent working knowledge of UK and European legislation and the planning system, particularly in negotiating effectively with regulators;
• A proven track record in the design and implementation of practical, innovative, and achievable mitigation strategies for protected species;
• Experience of writing the ecology chapter of an Environmental Statement;
• Ability to balance and manage priorities, and maintain good working relationships with clients and colleagues whilst working under pressure;
• An area of specialism, botany, bats and ornithology being the most desirable, and holder of 1 or more protected species survey and/or development licences; and
• Sound experience of using the biodiversity metric for purposes of quantifying net gain.

📩 How to Apply

1. Do have a browse of our website which will provide a feel for Keystone, our team, our clients, and the range of projects on which we work.
2. We appreciate that sometimes a conversation perhaps gives a fuller picture. If you’d like to arrange an informal chat about the role, or have any other questions, please reach out to Joe Bradshaw, Managing Director, at joe.bradshaw@keyenv.co.uk.
3. Please apply via Origin Enterprises HR platform here.

Closing Date: [28/02/2025]

Senior Ecologist

This position is based at our head office location just outside Tetbury in the heart of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds. The office is situated not far from Stroud, recently voted the best place to live in the UK.

Responsibilities:

• Project management of small-medium scale projects
• Technical report writing (at senior level)
• Assisting with client liaison, quotes, and budget management
• Resource and workload planning
• Leading complex surveys, including supervision of in-house and external staff
• Supporting and contributing to the Ecology Team’s vision and objections

The successful applicant will also have the unique opportunity to work alongside our in-house habitats team, who work directly with our ecology team, to develop and deliver bespoke mitigation and enhancement schemes that provide genuine and lasting benefit for wildlife.

Essential Requirements:

• Project management experience
• Technical report writing experience (at senior level)
• Ability to identify risks and opportunities, avoiding/minimising the former and capitalising on the latter
• Experience of leading, mentoring and organising surveyors
• An excellent working knowledge of UK and European legislation and the planning system
• Ability to balance and manage priorities, and maintain good working relationships with clients and colleagues whilst working under pressure
• Fee proposal capabilities

Desirable:

• An area of specialism (aquatic, botany, ornithology, invertebrates and bats of particular interest)
• Holder of one or more survey and/or development licences
• Sound experience of using the BNG metric
• Experience of design and implementation of practical, innovative, and achievable mitigation strategies for protected species
• Capable of higher-level technical writing (e.g. ES ecology chapters)

What Sets us Apart and What Does the Future Hold for Keystone

The business has been successfully running for 20 years, adapting to change, and maintaining growth turnover and commercial stability. It operates across all industry sectors on projects at all scales including some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects. In addition, the company takes on specialist conservation driven projects and is rapidly expanding its BNG services, which builds on an enviable track record of success in habitat creation, restoration, and mitigation from both a design and practical implementation perspective. The projects are delivered nationally from the head office in Gloucestershire.

Keystone differs from other consultancies in that it includes an in-house Habitats contracting team, which means the ecologists truly benefit from the practical knowledge of what mitigation, habitat creation, restoration and management schemes work, and ecologists can see the fruits of their labour translate into reality on the ground.

The team has a professional family feel and strives to ensure that fun is part of working life whilst ensuring the outstanding company reputation for excellence in all fields is maintained. Quarterly staff appreciation days are routinely held.

Our offer:

• Competitive salary pending experience
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option for hybrid working
• Company vehicles for meetings and site attendances
• Quarterly staff appreciation events
• Community incentives and volunteering opportunities
• Continued growth and career progression including annual CPD & training budget
• Company pension and sick pay
• Private medical insurance
• Access to internal Mental First Aid Qualified staff
• Idyllic office location in the Cotswolds with on-site parking

How to Apply:

1. We appreciate that sometimes a conversation perhaps gives a fuller picture. If you’d like to arrange an informal chat about the role, or have any other questions, please reach out to Joe Bradshaw, Managing Director, at joe.bradshaw@keyenv.co.uk.
2. Please apply via Origin Enterprises HR platform here.

Closing Date: [28/02/2025]

Head of Ecology

The Role

Keystone seeks an experienced and dynamic Head of Ecology to lead our growing team of skilled ecologists. This exciting opportunity will involve driving forward large-scale habitat creation, mitigation, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) initiatives, working across various sectors to improve environmental performance for our clients. You will play a crucial role in expanding and enhancing our client base, representing the company at industry events, and overseeing a talented team to deliver exceptional ecological consultancy services.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
• Technical Expertise
• Project Management
• Client Relationship Building
• Commercial Performance

What we’re looking for in our new Head of Ecology

• Significant consultancy experience at a senior level
• Proven track record in delivering large-scale ecological projects
• Comprehensive knowledge of protected species legislation, licensing, and ecological assessments.
• Experience in recruitment, training, and management of a high-performing team.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects.
• Passion for ecology, species conservation, and driving environmental change.
• Full CIEEM membership (or working toward chartered status).
• Current or previously held EPS protected species licenses.
• Honours or Master’s degree in Ecology or a relevant discipline.
• Appreciation and alignment with our Vision and Values.
• A smile, sense of fun and willingness to get stuck in to the wider aspects of a busy consultancy.

Our Offer

• A salary that reflects your experience and grade
• Paid overtime or Time Off in Lieu (TOIL).
• Flexibility with home working and hours
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Enhanced company pension scheme
• Individual training budget for career development
• Life Assurance – 3 times salary
• Bupa Healthcare
• Staff appreciation events, paid Community Action Day, and employee recognition awards
• Access to internal Mental First Aid qualified staff and an Employee Assistance Programme

If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and lead a passionate team in driving biodiversity and ecological restoration, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 How to Apply

1. For further information about this role, please refer to the full job description.
2. Do have a browse of our website which will provide a feel for Keystone, our team, our clients, and the range of projects on which we work.
3. We appreciate that sometimes a conversation perhaps gives a fuller picture. If you’d like to arrange an informal chat about the role, or have any other questions, please reach out to Joe Bradshaw, Managing Director, at joe.bradshaw@keyenv.co.uk.
4. Please apply via Origin Enterprises HR platform here.

Closing Date: [28/02/2025]

Seasonal Field Ecologists

The Role

As a Seasonal Field Ecologist, your role is help the Ecology team during the busy survey season commencing in April and running until the end of September, which may also include some office-based work in preparation. The position provides an ideal opportunity to gain first-hand experience of a career in ecology, and for stand-out candidates, there may be the opportunity to progress to a permanent position beyond the initial contracted period.

Whilst the nature of survey work means early some early starts and evening work, hours are flexible to enable adequate rest periods and early finishes. A Seasonal Field Ecologist will not be expected to work more than 3 evenings a week (usually 2) and never on Friday evenings.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the team with newt and bat surveys, with some opportunity for water vole and otter work, acting as a ‘second’ for health and safety.
• Office based support with mobilising/demobilising kit required for bat surveys.
• Office based work reviewing and analysing bat survey footage.
• Uphold excellent health & safety and quality standards on-site.
• Adapt to working on various projects and environments in the South-West; Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

Essential Requirements:

• A strong work ethic, ‘can do’ attitude and enthusiasm to learn
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team
• A commitment to maintaining safety and quality standards
• A full clean driving license and ideally your own car
• Live within commuting distance to our Head Office near Tetbury
• Appreciation of the nature of survey work and willingness to work outside of normal working hours

Desirable:

• Prior survey season experience
• ECoW experience
• Experience of protected species surveys
• CSCS Card

Our Offer:

• A salary that reflects your experience (£24,000+ per annum/ pro rata)
• Paid overtime
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Subsistence allowance
• A friendly and supportive team
• Any necessary training required to perform duties
• Inclusion in any community action, social activities, or staff appreciation days within the contracted period

📩 How to Apply:

1. For further information about this role, please refer to the full job description.
2. Do have a browse of our website keyenv.co.uk which will provide a feel for Keystone, our team, our clients, and the range of projects on which we work.
3. Send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to jobs@keyenv.co.uk.

Closing Date: [28/02/2025]