Lead Ecologist

Lead Ecologist

Permanent employee, Full-time, Scotland

WHO ARE WE?

Zulu Ecosystems’ mission is to responsibly regenerate natural ecosystems so that the planet and its communities can thrive. We combine proprietary technology and domain expertise with on-the-ground relationships to mobilise landowners, investors, government bodies and communities around large-scale nature programmes.

Our primary focus in Scotland is on natural regeneration of ancient woodlands, native woodland creation and peatland restoration. All our projects seek to achieve the highest overall impact in terms of uplift on biodiversity, water regulation, carbon sequestration and local community benefits.

YOUR MISSION

As Lead Ecologist you will oversee ecological surveys along with ground truthing our analytics to support the design and delivery of a variety of projects across Scotland and beyond. As a member of the Operations team, your work will contribute to our restoration projects’ planning, design, implementation, and long-term monitoring and management. Working closely with a multi-disciplinary team of colleagues including our R&D and Origination teams, you will help quantify and ensure the synergy between different project interventions and a range of ecosystem outcomes.

As a committed professional and experienced ecologist, you will seek to apply the highest standards of ecological integrity and project quality, while remaining agile, creative and practical in your approach to working with a range of ecosystems and stakeholders.

You will:

• Support programme managers by defining and designing necessary surveys for various ecosystem restoration and creation projects.
• Design, undertake and supervise ongoing monitoring, reporting, and verification of our projects.
• Analyse survey data and derive relevant intelligence to move projects forwards.
• Manage a broad scope of work through several projects concurrently.
• Keep a critical view of our projects and always think of ways to improve their quality and integrity.
• Communicate and collaborate with various stakeholders, including landowners and land managers and guide internal stakeholders on how to improve and automate processes.
• Support the development of new tools / technology to improve effectiveness and efficiency of site assessment, project design and monitoring.
• Contribute to the improvement of internal models and research on biodiversity indicators and potential uplift. Including translating best practice between field restoration and academic research.
• Adhere to and uphold high standards of workplace health and safety.

This role balances desk-based work with fieldwork responsibilities: you will undertake essential baseline and condition assessment surveys and ongoing monitoring and reporting. You will be working directly with key stakeholders in the delivery of on-the-ground projects and will be providing a vital role in driving innovation and efficiency across the business.

YOUR PROFILE

Essential requirements

• A love of nature and a strong commitment to help solve the climate and nature crises.
• Fit and able to work alone in remote and upland environments.
• Proven field surveying skills and competency in a variety of habitat and species survey techniques (for example, NVC or UKHab, species specific surveys).
• Broad knowledge of relevant survey methods to enable proficient management of sub-contracts.
• Proficiency in GIS mapping data and software and experience in digital field data collection, analysis and report writing.
• A strong track record in managing multiple projects and sub-contracts concurrently.
• The ability to establish new assessment methodologies, with robust, repeatable sampling frameworks, analytical methods and reporting.
• Awareness of relevant environmental legislation and best practice.
• Experience using technical and data analysis tools such as Python programming or QGIS automations.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ecological concepts clearly and effectively to a range of audiences, including clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Driver’s license and willingness to travel within Scotland, with occasional overnight stays, and sometimes elsewhere in the UK.

Desirables:

• Experience in the delivery of some or all of the following: National Vegetation Classification (NVC woodlands, grassland, and mires), breeding bird surveys, protected species, herbivore impact assessment, woodland herbivore impact assessment, peat depth, and peatland condition assessment.
• Ability and willingness to deliver survey training to colleagues and land managers.
• Membership (or working towards membership) of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
• Thought leader with a keen interest in policy and the ability to participate in industry consultations and discussions.
• Proficiency in use of project management tools.
• Proximity to our Inverness office.