Richard Green Ecology is a nationally renowned and respected consultancy based in Devon. We undertake all aspects of ecological work, specialising in bats. We continue to be busy and are growing our dynamic business, so we are always on the look out for good ecologists at all levels. We have a diverse client base and workload, with opportunities for CPD and promotion. We offer a competitive salary, flexible working hours and training. PPE and equipment are provided, and you will have use of a company vehicle or mileage allowance for use of your own car. Other benefits include 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and a day off on your birthday, with additional days accrued for continuous service; workplace pension scheme; payment of a relevant professional membership; company health care plan; annual bonus scheme; and company social events. If you would like to be part of a great team and further develop yourself by working alongside technical experts, please send your CV and a covering letter to
Current opportunities are listed below.
PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST
Salary: £47,000–£57,000 (dependent on experience)
Type: Full-time. Permanent.
About the role
You will manage all ecological aspects of projects, often large/complex projects, ensuring best practice is embedded throughout our processes and delivery is to a high standard. You’ll prepare and review competitive bids and tenders, manage site surveys and approve ecology proposals and reports for both technical robustness and branding.
You will have Line Manager responsibilities, including objective setting for your team, and will be accountable for the delivery of an outstanding level of client value. You will also lead on business development and will be responsible for the recruitment and development of ecologists, in liaison with your line manager.
Essential and Desirable Skills / Experience
- Experience in managing large/complex projects in the ecology sector within a professional consultancy.
- You will already be working at an Accomplished, and in some areas Authoritative, level and will have detailed knowledge and experience to carry out highly complex, specialist or non-standard tasks confidently and consistently.
- Experience of team leadership and a passion for inspiring and mentoring junior members of the team.
- A thorough understanding of UK survey methodology following relevant legislation, guidelines and best practice.
- Experience conducting preliminary ecological appraisals (PEA), protected species surveys and/or habitat surveys.
- Report writing and technical review experience, including PEA reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, HRA’s and protected species licences.
- A degree in Ecology, Environmental or Earth Sciences or a related discipline.
- CIEEM membership.
- Eligible for CEnv/CEcol.
- Protected species survey licences (bats and hazel dormouse desirable).
- You must have a full driving licence and your own car, to use when a company vehicle is not available. Your car insurance must include business use.
- Be physically fit and able enough to work on large outdoor sites.
SENIOR ECOLOGIST
Salary: £32,000–£46,000 (dependent on experience)
Type: Full-time. Permanent.
About the role
Principally working on and managing bat related projects; from survey to report writing, licensing, mitigation, watching briefs and monitoring. Other work includes Phase 1/UK Habitats Classification surveys and other protected species surveys, including dormice, reptiles, GCN, etc.
Essential and Desirable Skills / Experience
- You must have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in consultancy, hold a Natural England Level 2 bat survey licence, and achieved at least a Level 3 Field Identification Skills Certificate. You should also have experience of EPSL applications, report writing and undertaking ecological watching briefs/acting as ecological clerk of works. Experience of large infrastructure projects is desirable.
- You should be educated to degree level in a relevant subject and be a full member of CIEEM or at least be eligible for associate membership.
- You must be well organised and able to manage your own diary, as well as interact with the wider team’s diaries.
- You should have good communication and interpersonal skills and be capable of leading survey teams, as well providing authoritative advice in a sensitive manner to clients.
- Whilst most of our work is local to the office, you may be required to work away from home, and you will be expected to work at night for bat surveys during the bat survey season (April-October).
- You must have a full driving licence and your own car, to use when a company vehicle is not available. Your car insurance must include business use.
- Be physically fit and able enough to work on large outdoor sites.
ECOLOGIST
Salary: £26,000–£31,000 (dependent on experience)
Type: Full-time. Permanent.
About the role
Principally working on and managing bat related projects; from survey to report writing, licensing, mitigation, watching briefs and monitoring. Other work includes Phase 1/UK Habitats Classification surveys and other protected species surveys, including dormice, reptiles, GCN, etc.
Essential and Desirable Skills / Experience
- You must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in consultancy and hold at least one protected species licence (Natural England Level 2 bat survey licence desirable). You should also have experience of report writing and undertaking ecological watching briefs/acting as ecological clerk of works.
- You should be educated to degree level in a relevant subject and be an associate member of CIEEM or at least be eligible for associate membership.
- You must be well organised and able to manage your own diary, as well as interact with the wider team’s diaries.
- You should have good communication and interpersonal skills and be capable of leading survey teams, as well providing authoritative advice in a sensitive manner to clients.
- Whilst most of our work is local to the office, you may be required to work away from home, and you will be expected to work at night for bat surveys during the bat survey season (April-October).
- You must have a full driving licence and your own car, to use when a company vehicle is not available. Your car insurance must include business use.
- Be physically fit and able enough to work on large outdoor sites.
ASSISTANT ECOLOGIST
Salary: £23,000–£26,000 (dependent on experience)
Type: Full-time. Permanent.
About the role
Undertaking ecological surveys, report writing and providing other support within our established team. This will be a fantastic opportunity for the right candidates to build on existing knowledge and skill sets, supported by motivated colleagues.
Essential and Desirable Skills / Experience
- You should be educated to degree level in a relevant subject and be a qualifying member of CIEEM or eligible for membership.
- Knowledge/experience of protected species legislation, ecology and surveys is desirable, including dormice, great crested newts, bats, reptiles, badgers, and phase I habitat/UK Habitats survey.
- You must be well organised and able to manage your own diary, as well as interact with the wider team’s diaries.
- You should have good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Whilst most of our work is local to the office, you may be required to work away from home, and you will be expected to work at night for bat surveys during the bat survey season (April-October).
- You must have a full driving licence and your own car, to use when a company vehicle is not available. Your car insurance must include business use.
- Be physically fit and able enough to work on large outdoor sites.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANT
Salary: £24,000
Type: Full-time. Permanent.
About the role
This is an office-based role with room to grow! Responsibilities include day-to-day admin support, scheduling, equipment and data management, health and safety checks, and other duties to support our ecology team. You’ll help us ensure that our operations run like a well-oiled machine!
Key Responsibilities
- Daily administrative tasks: Taking phone calls, client liaison and general office administration, whilst supporting the office manager and team.
- Data management and analysis: Upload and organise video/audio data from SD cards collected during bat surveys. Allocate analysis to staff and sub-consultants and undertake quality assurance of analysed data.
- Survey calendar management: Manage the team’s ecological survey calendar by booking surveys with clients, scheduling staff and updating their calendars and preparing equipment.
- Social media management & training course coordination: Post updates on social media, promote training courses, handle bookings, arrange payments, and set up the training room on course days.
- Survey kit management: Ensure all equipment is maintained, working, and fully prepared for ecologists to take on site.
- Stock management and maintenance: Conduct stocktakes of field equipment and report issues or replacement needs including weekly ladder and vehicle safety checks, including arranging annual MOTs and services.
- Assist with other duties: Assist with quotations and occasional surveys. Keep workspaces clean, organised and ready for action.
Essential and Desirable Skills / Experience
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritise and manage your workload effectively.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage and handle technical equipment and data.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and file management systems.
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing work schedules driven by survey needs.
- Strong communication skills for team collaboration.
- Previous administrative experience.
- Experience in working in a busy office setting.
- Familiarity with handling digital data.
SEASONAL BAT SURVEY ASSISTANTS
Salary: £22,000–£25,000 (pro-rata, dependent on experience)
Type: Full-time. Temporary (May–September)
About the role
Assisting with evening bat surveys, plus survey preparation & analysing video and audio recordings in the daytime. There may also be opportunities to get involved in other ecological survey work.
Essential and Desirable Skills / Experience
You must have a full UK driving licence and your own transportation and be physically fit enough to work on large outdoor sites. You should have an interest in ecology, some knowledge of bats, good observational, listening and recording skills, the ability to work in a team and communicate effectively, and excellent time management.