Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist

• North England
• £36,629 per annum (pro rata for part time hours)
• Ref: SUS4243
• Part Time 18.75 hours per week – happy to talk flexible working
• Contract – Fixed term until July 2025
• Base: Hybrid – Sustrans offices in Manchester and Leeds with the flexibility to work
  from home

About the role

We are looking for a new team member to use their skills and experience to make a difference to
peoples’ lives, encourage sustainability and help protect and improve the natural environment.

Our vision and mission have never been more relevant. Across the UK governments are pledging
investment and action on walking and cycling with an increasing demand for high quality
infrastructure. As part of this we are keen to further develop the National Cycle Network as a
network for nature, as well as people. To help achieve this Sustrans produced a Biodiversity
Action Plan (BAP) in October 2023.

As the Senior Ecologist you will advise staff on all ecological aspects of Sustrans work across
the north of England, as well as parts of Scotland and Wales (as required). 

In collaboration with colleagues and partners across a wide range of disciplines, you will
undertake field surveys, manage ecological and arboricultural sub-consultants, prepare reports
to support planning applications and use your expertise to help shape the design of new walking
and cycling paths so that they benefit people and wildlife.

Candidates should be based within the geographical area with regular travel expected to either
hub base in Manchester or Leeds.

About you

You should be a skilled ecologist with significant experience in relevant previous roles and a
higher-level vocational qualification, or degree in ecology or associated subject.

Your expertise will help to embed best ecological practice across the charity and shape our
approach to delivering biodiversity improvement as part of route management and construction
activity across the UK, with an emphasis on projects in our Northern region.

As an excellent communicator, you will have good verbal and written communications skills
demonstrable in ability to communicate effectively to a range of different audiences. You will
also be skilled in ecological report writing including reviewing and interpreting third party
reports.

Sustrans has a long-term commitment to being a charity for everyone – reducing inequality,
valuing diversity, enabling inclusion and ensuring all people are treated with dignity and
respect. We aim to be a truly inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all
parts of the community, in particular from under-represented groups. 

What we offer

In return we can offer true hybrid working to suit individual circumstances and a flexible,
supportive and rewarding working environment. 

Wellbeing

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time working
• Ability to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Staff volunteer days
• 24/7 free, impartial and confidential support service
• We are members of the Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme who both offer cycle to
  work schemes

Financial

• Group Personal Pension scheme with a 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by
  Sustrans
• Bike, computer and season ticket loans
• Discount benefits
• London Weighting Allowance of £4,530 for all those living within a London Borough (32
  local authority districts plus the City of London)
• Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary

Family Friendly

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday – Friday)

Additional information

• Closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 09:00, Monday 10 June 2024. 
• Interviews will take place via MS Teams or in person in the Leeds office between 20, 21, 27
  and 28 June 2024. 

To apply, please complete our online application form. More details of our vacancies can be
found on our website.

About Sustrans

At Sustrans you’ll be part of a movement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle. 

We’re all here to change things! You’ll be part of an incredible community of talented,
passionate, creative, problem solvers all working together to change things for the better. We
act locally and think big – we have a vision of a society where the way we travel creates
healthier places and happier lives for everyone.

You’ll be questioning the status quo and daring to imagine a different world. You’ll work on
exciting, impactful projects that will stretch and empower you and you’ll be rewarded by seeing
the difference you make to people, communities and the planet. 

 We believe including everyone is central to who we are and what we want to achieve, we welcome
difference and pride ourselves on creating a culture where you can be yourself and where your
wellness is supported. 

You’ll be guaranteed to make friends for life and work with a team that is incredibly flexible,
supportive, ethical and fun.