Senior Ecologist (Avifaunal & Bat Focus) Leading Environmental Group

Senior Ecologist (Avifaunal & Bat Focus) - Leading Environmental Group

Location:Cape Town (Hybrid / National Fieldwork Required)Position Type:Full-Time Permanent

About us

One of our esteemed clients being one of South Africas leading environmental consultancies delivering high-impact Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) ecological studies environmental management and sustainability services across the renewable energy infrastructure and urban development sectors is expanding theirEcology Teamand seeking a highly capable and motivatedSenior Ecologistwith a strongavian and bat ecologybackground tolead bird and bat monitoring programmesandcoordinate field ecological assessmentsacross multiple renewable energy projects.

This position calls for atechnically excellent organised and leadership-driven professional someone who thrives in managing teams schedules and deliverables while maintaining scientific integrity and regulatory compliance.

Role Overview

TheSenior Ecologist (Avifaunal & Bat Focus)will lead the planning coordination and delivery of bird and bat monitoring and ecological assessment programmes across the renewable energy portfolio.

You will manage all aspects of project delivery from methodology design and field team coordination to data integrity client communication and on-time report submission. This role requiresexceptional project management discipline ensuring every ecological component is delivered to the highest technical and professional standards.

This is ahands-on and leadership-oriented rolethat bridges the technical operational and managerial dimensions of ecological work ideal for a senior professional ready to take ownership of a critical service area.

Key Responsibilities

Avifaunal & Bat Ecology (Primary Focus)

• Design plan and leadbird and bat monitoring programmesfor wind and solar projects (pre- and post-construction).
• Manage and QA/QC all field monitoring (carcass searching vantage point surveys acoustic and bat detector deployment).
• Analyse data and produce authoritative reports compliant withDFFEandBirdLife South Africaguidelines.
• Develop evidence-based mitigation strategies (e.g. curtailment plans layout optimisation operational risk management).
• Provide technical ecological inputs into EIAs Basic Assessments and EMPrs ensuring scientific accuracy and regulatory readiness.
• Serve as the main client interface for bird and bat workstreams providing updates technical guidance and progress tracking.

Project Management & Team Coordination (Core Requirement)

• Take full ownership ofproject planning scheduling and delivery ensuring milestones and deliverables are met on time and within scope.
• Coordinate and supervisefield teams subcontractors and data analystsacross multiple active sites.
• Oversee budgets logistics and resource allocation for ecological fieldwork and reporting tasks.
• Maintain close coordination with our EIA Environmental Management and Operations teams for integrated project execution.
• Implement and enforce internalQA/QC systems data protocols and safety proceduresin the field.
• Prepare project briefs progress updates and post-project evaluations to ensure continuous improvement.

Field Ecology & Capacity Building (Secondary Focus)

• Lead ecological field assessments and surveys particularly avifaunal and bat-related components.
• Mentor and train junior ecologists interns and field assistants in best-practice monitoring and reporting techniques.
• Contribute to refining our internal SOPs methodologies and field data templates.

Minimum Requirements

• MSc in Ecology Zoology or Environmental Science(specialisation in ornithology or chiropterology advantageous).
• Registered with SACNASPas aProfessional Natural Scientist (Ecological Science category)mandatory.
• 58 years professional experiencein ecological consulting with clear evidence of leading avifaunal and/or bat monitoring projects.
• Proven project management and team coordination experience including planning budgeting scheduling and delivery across multiple sites. (This is non-negotiable.)
• Strong report-writing and data analysis skills with a record of regulator-ready submissions.
• Excellent knowledge of South African environmental and biodiversity legislation (NEMANEMBANWANHRA).
• Valid drivers licence and willingness to travel nationally for fieldwork.

Preferred / Advantageous Experience

• In-depth knowledge ofSouth African bird and bat monitoring guidelines(DFFE / BirdLife SA).
• Familiarity withwind farm post-construction monitoring curtailment studies and collision-risk mitigation.
• Experience supervisingjunior ecologists and field techniciansin remote or multi-site conditions.
• Proficiency withGIS (QGIS/ArcGIS)and ecological data management platforms.
• Experience withautomated monitoring technologies(e.g. Bioseco ASDOD/OLSDOD NRG systems).

Personal Attributes

Were looking for someone who is:

• Technically rigorous with deep field and analytical expertise.
• Organised and accountable capable of managing complex projects and teams simultaneously.
• Calm under pressure with strong time-management and prioritisation abilities.
• Collaborative and communicative able to coordinate effectively across disciplines and stakeholders.
• Passionate about conservation and renewable energy committed to high standards and meaningful outcomes.

Why join us

• Take a lead role inSouth Africas renewable energy ecology landscape.
• Deliver projects that combinescientific excellence and real-world impact.
• Collaborate with high-performing environmental and sustainability professionals.
• Competitive remuneration and clear growth path within our expanding Ecology Team.

Remuneration

Highly competitive remuneration will be on offer and will be negotiable depending on numerous factors such as experience qualifications current earnings etc. All eligible candidates are encouraged to send theirupdated CVsto