Experienced Ecologists

About Us

Keystone Environmental is an ecological consultancy with a practical, intelligent and pioneering approach to advising its clients. With over 20 years ‘experience, Keystone has established an outstanding reputation as one of the leading multi-disciplinary consultancies within the UK.

Our Clients

We service a range of commercial, public and private sector clients, and due to our work alongside the Habitats team, our involvement continues to the post-consent phase. Unusually, for a consultancy of our size, our ecologists are able to experience a broad range of projects on all scales, including nationally significant infrastructure projects and large-scale renewable energy schemes,. For a mid-sized consultancy, we punch well above our weight.

It is this diversity and broad experience that provides real satisfaction and opportunity for career progression.

Key to Success

The key to our success is our demonstrable breadth of specialist expertise within ecology and the collaborative relationship with our Habitats contracting team. We operate as a single team of conservationists, passionate about the natural world, with a clear vision to maximise our impact on widespread nature restoration across the UK. Our ecologists argue that the real attraction is the ability to see their designs for mitigation and enhancement translate into reality through a wide variety of post-consent and site enhancement work across the UK.

An Exciting Future

In 2022, Keystone underwent successful acquisition by Origin Enterprises Plc, whose overriding purpose is to optimise sustainable land use through integrated and innovative solutions. Sharing a set of strong corporate values that centre around People, we look forward to continued growth and investment and are already reaping the benefits of operating within the Origin Group. We are especially optimistic to be able to develop our Natural Capital services, incorporating nationwide strategic BNG, by working with Origin’s nationwide agronomy consultancy and network of farmers.

Join Us!

Due to our ongoing expansion, we are excited to announce the following opportunities for Experienced Ecologists to join our consultancy team:

• Associate Director

This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious individual, either an experienced Principal seeking the next step towards Directorship, or early-career Associate. Under the guidance of, and working alongside the Technical Director, your primary responsibility will be to oversee the smooth-running of the ecology team and undertake technical reviews.

You will be able to demonstrate strong technical knowledge and an ability to efficiently deliver robust reviews of reports, whilst supporting the Principals in managing their larger projects. Experience of, and competency in, managing a team will be advantageous, and evidence of strong project management skills will be required..

The potential breadth and scope of this role is far reaching and, for the right candidate, there will be the opportunity to further develop any particular technical specialism should it complement Keystone’s existing services and align with our vision and values.

An appreciation of the vital relationship, and willingness to collaborate with the Head of Habitats, will be expected and is considered an interesting and notable attraction to this particular role within our consultancy.

• Senior & Consultant Ecologists

We are looking for experienced Senior and Consultant Ecologists.

Senior Ecologists are expected to have demonstrable experience in undertaking UK Habitat Classification surveys and condition assessments, and at both Senior and Consultant levels, there will be opportunities to become involved in the development of habitat enhancement and management plans, as well as a wide range of protected species surveys, mitigation and licensing.

An interest in habitats and botany (NVC, FISC 4+, and designated site assessments), arboriculture, ornithology, aquatic ecology and bats would be advantageous; however, we always consider those with a wide range of experiences, and generalists are very much welcome.

Those candidates who wish to divide their time between Ecology and GIS will always be welcome. Our GIS team is growing and we always support those who wish to pursue a specialism in this area.

Location

These roles are based at our Gloucestershire Head Office, in an idyllic rural setting just outside Tetbury. From here you will support the consultancy on a wide range of projects across the country, from county-wide BNG and natural flood management projects, to commercial Habitat Banks, renewable energy schemes, and restoration projects for river crossings and aqueducts.

Benefits

Under the Origin Group, we are fortunate to be able to offer a sector leading benefits package to all employees. We value our people, demonstrating our complete commitment to the individual, and strive to provide real benefits, without gimmicks, that can make a difference.

What we provide:

• Industry leading salary commensurate with experience
• Support and dedicated training to achieve continued growth and career progression
• Idyllic office location in the Cotswolds with on-site parking
• Company vehicles for meetings and site attendances
• Staff appreciation events and awards
• One paid Community Action Day per year
• Option for flexible and hybrid working
• TOIL policy for all field base roles (does not apply to Associate/ Director level roles)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical insurance (BUPA)
• Enhanced Company pension
• Employment Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance
• Access to internal Mental First Aid Qualified staff

How to apply

If you’re curious and interested to learn more about a leap to Keystone, why not email our Technical Director, joanne.wilson@keyenv.co.uk to arrange an off the record informal chat in the first instance.

If you’re ready to apply, please send a CV and a covering letter to jobs@keyenv.co.uk. We are recruiting for a number of positions and will reserve the right to appoint at any time.

Please don’t delay, make a life-changing career move to Keystone today.