Seasonal Ecologist - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract (Keystone Environmental)

Seasonal Ecologists – 6 Month Fixed Term Contract

About Keystone

As a small/medium sized enterprise (SME), we are a growing ecological and arboricultural consultancy and contracting business with a practical, intelligent and pioneering approach to advising our clients. We blend traditional ecological services with innovation, hands-on habitat creation, restoration and compliance solutions. With over 24 years’ experience, we have established a reputation as one of the few end to end service providers in the UK.   

Since 2022, we have proudly operated as an Origin Enterprises company, an international agronomy brand whose primary focus is sustainable land use through integrated innovative solutions. Our Origin connection provides our clients and employees with the benefits and opportunities associated with being part of a global leader in sustainability, including wider geographic reach and service offering, including investment in research and development.  

At Keystone we have retained our business identify, and pride ourselves on having a professional family feel that attracts clients and employees alike. We share the same values, People, Community, Partnerships, Integrity, and Innovation, which are reflected in all that we do and lie at the very core of our business. 

We operate across a comprehensive range of sectors for public and private sector clients including a number of the UK’s largest Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. Having established a first-class reputation for habitat creation, restoration, and mitigation, we specialise in conservation driven projects that focus on nature restoration and Biodiversity Net Gain at scale.

The Ecology Team

As a Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Registered Practice, we are independently recognised for holding the highest standards of professional practice, ethics, and quality in our work. The strength of our business is our people. We invest in their continued growth through mentoring, structured continued professional development, and dedicated personalised training.

We are a close-knit team of 13, led by Head of Ecology, Stuart Wilson, who has over 25 years of experience.  We work collaboratively to deliver optimal outcomes for our clients, for people and for nature. Our capabilities include a comprehensive range of ecological services including Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain, habitat and species surveys as well as long term monitoring. Our clients value our ability to deliver innovative, quality solutions to complex problems.

The Role

We are looking for up to 10 field-based Seasonal Ecologists to help us with our key survey season. If you are interested in making a meaningful difference and want to be part of achieving positive outcomes for both our clients and the natural environment, then Keystone might just be the place for you. As a values-led, dynamic and growing business, we seek self-motivated and positive-minded Field Ecologists to join our friendly team in our head office in Tetbury, or as part of our wider plans for growth in South Wales. 

This will be a 6-month fixed term contract to start in late March, with the possibility to be made permanent. 

The successful applicants will be involved in all areas of our work, supporting the delivery of positive change for our clients and communities through a focus on projects that reflect our vision and values. This will include carrying out habitat and species surveys, providing you with an opportunity to help clients deliver environmental net gain through development.

These positions will offer an opportunity to grow and build experience in surveying, effective communication, influencing/negotiating skills and report writing within a supportive environment including through work with experts in their fields. With a focus on regional site work (predominantly around Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Oxfordshire), outside of this the roles will require travel and overnight stays.

Whether you are looking to gain experience as an early careers ecologist or have relevant experience but prefer seasonal working, please reach out to find out whether this could be the opportunity for you.

Key Requirements

A degree or equivalent qualification (N/SVQ Level 5) in Ecology or a related subject; or hold equivalent relevant experience.

Your own car (noting you will have access to company vehicles).

A full, clean UK driving licence.

Membership (or eligibility for membership) of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or equivalent professional body with professional code of conduct.

Experience of ecological field survey work and/or analysis of ecological data.

Understanding of relevant UK environmental legislation.

Willingness to work independently and outside of normal office hours.

Desirable Criteria

Experience in ecological consultancy or equivalent sectors.

Hold (or working towards) one or more Natural England (or other equivalent) protected species licence and/or hold Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) Level 3 or above.

Experience in preliminary ecological appraisals and/or UKHab surveys.

CSCS card holder.

 
What’s in it for you?

A Supportive, experienced and friendly team

Competitive salary

TOIL (time off in lieu)

25 days annual leave per annum (plus bank holidays)

Socials & volunteering days

Structured professional development 

The closing date for applications is 14th March 2026, but we encourage early applications as may close the advert once we’ve received enough interest.

We will not progress applications from recruitment agencies.