Join Us and Help Shape Better Outcomes for People, Places and Nature
At CSA Environmental, we’ve spent over 25 years helping to create well‑designed places where people, nature and development can coexist more harmoniously. Across our five offices, you’ll join a collaborative team of over 50 ecologists working alongside experts in heritage, landscape architecture and masterplanning. Our Brighton team has built a strong reputation in the south‑east for providing clear, reliable ecological advice across a wide range of projects. If you’re an experienced ecologist looking for a fresh challenge — and perhaps the chance to enjoy life by the coast — we’d love to hear from you.
Why This Role Matters
Ecology plays an increasingly important role in shaping how land is planned and used. This role involves weighing opportunities for environmental improvement alongside client objectives, planning policy, constraints on the ground, and the needs of local communities. As an experienced member of the team, you’ll help clients navigate these complexities and work with the consultant team to deliver better outcomes – that integrate biodiversity, placemaking and practical deliverability.
What You’ll Be Doing
In this varied and rewarding position, you will:
- Coordinate and deliver ecological inputs across all project stages
- Lead and support protected species surveys and mitigation strategies
- Prepare and review PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments and related reporting
- Work closely with clients, LPAs and design teams to find balanced, proportionate solutions
- Provide technical insight during concept design and planning stages
- Mentor and support junior ecologists
- Contribute to maintaining our strong local reputation for high‑quality, pragmatic advice
Our Brighton office works on a diverse mix of projects, including:
- Greenfield residential/ mixed-use development
- Brownfield regeneration and mineral extraction sites
- Solar and renewable energy projects
- Habitat bank schemes
- Biodiversity enhancement and landscape‑scale improvements
- Smaller bespoke local projects
About You
We’re looking for friendly, motivated and conscientious ecologists with a practical, solutions‑focused mindset.
Essential
- Degree in ecology/biology (2:1 or above desirable)
- Experience in protected species and habitat surveys (inc. UKHab)
- Good botanical skills (ideally FISC Level 3 or above)
- Good understanding of relevant wildlife legislation
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Confident with MS Office and QGIS
- Well organised, collaborative and adaptable
- Willingness to undertake night surveys/overnight stays
- Full UK driving licence + own car (insured for business use)
- CIEEM membership (ACIEEM or above / ability to apply)
Desirable
- Technical specialism (especially ornithology or botany)
- Protected species survey licences (e.g. bats, dormice)
- Experience with EPS licencing
- River Condition Assessor accreditation
We recognise that not everyone will meet every point — if you have strong foundations and transferable skills, we would like to hear from you.
What We Offer
We’re committed to creating a friendly, supportive and balanced working environment.
Our benefits include:
- Competitive salary
- Permanent, full‑time contract
- Hybrid working (up to 2 days from home)
- Flexible working around core hours
- Annual profit‑related and performance bonus
- Overtime pay for out‑of‑hours surveys
- 25 days annual leave (3 days to be taken during Christmas shutdown); rising incrementally to 30 days within 10 years of employment
- Pension contributions (increasing contributions with length of employment)
- Annual Company and Ecology Team Days
- Family‑friendly policies
- Volunteering days
- Mobile phone + fieldwork clothing allowance
- Generous CPD and external training budget
- Supported career progression, aligned with the CIEEM Competency Framework
- Paid CIEEM membership and EPS class licence fees
- Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first‑aiders
Our Working Culture
CSA Environmental is an independent consultancy built on collaboration, mutual respect and continuous learning.
We champion:
- A welcoming, close‑knit environment
- Cross‑office and cross‑disciplinary collaboration
- Practical, balanced, evidence‑based advice
- Opportunities to grow and develop your expertise
- A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion