Title: Environmental Scientist / Ecologist LeadLocation: Sunshine Coast based, SEQ (office and field based, project dependent)Employment type: Full-timeTeam Managed: Ecologists, including a qualified GIS Technician and a licensed drone pilotSpecialties covered: Flora – fauna – aquatic– fire ecology (plus integrated environmental services)
About Us: We believe that our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to fostering a workplace that values collaboration, well-being, and professional excellence. Our mission is to support a high-functioning, efficient, and values-driven work environment that enables our team to deliver impactful environmental and ecological solutions.
The opportunity
To join a leading, reputable environmental and ecological consultancy, expanding and seeking an experienced Ecologist Lead to guide and elevate a growing ecology team. This is a hands‐on leadership role with genuine influence over technical direction, quality standards, team capability, and client outcomes.
You will be trusted to shape how work is delivered across a broad portfolio of ecology projects, supported by strong spatial and aerial capability via in‐house GIS and drone expertise.
Our vision and values
Our vision: We envision a world where people, culture and nature are respected as deeply interconnected. We exist to provide science‐based environmental solutions that help clients restore, maintain and enhance ecological systems so that we protect both tangible and intangible values, and leave behind a legacy of care, connection, and custodianship.
Our values:
Environmental Stewardship – Acting responsibly to protect and enhance natural ecosystems.
Scientific Integrity – Providing evidence‐based solutions that align with industry best practices.
Collaboration & Respect – Building meaningful relationships with clients, communities, &colleagues.
Innovation & Excellence – Striving for continuous improvement & pioneering new approaches.
Safety & Well‐being – Ensuring a safe, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
Industry Leadership – being at the forefront of the industry leading the way in Australia andabroad.
What will make this role appealing
High‐impact leadership
Lead a multi-disciplinary ecology team (minimum 2‐4 years experience), including a qualified GIS technician and licenced drone pilot responsible for drone surveys and GIS mapping
Ability to set and manage clear standards for fieldwork, analysis, reporting, and client delivery
You would serve as Project Director on selected projects, managing both our existing client relationships and the growing client base within Environment, Ecology and Fire where required
Mentor and coach ecologists at different career stages, building confidence and capability
Variety and technical breadth
Projects across terrestrial and aquatic ecology, threatened species, habitat assessments, monitoring programs, waterway health, and fire ecology
Work across approvals pathways and project phases, from early constraints mapping through to compliance and monitoring
Training & Knowledge Development
Initially focusing on developing and implementing training programs for staff as required.
Improving report‐writing quality, including optimal structure and content.
Enhancing interactions with councils and clients, efficiently meeting both parties' needs.
Developing fire assessments and management plans.
Best‐practice tools and capability
Leverage in‐house GIS and drone products to lift project outcomes and consistency
Help the team translate data into clear, defensible advice for clients and regulators
Assist in the development of innovative and tech leading new products and services
Quality, professionalism, and development
Influence templates, workflows, peer review processes, and training plans
Support professional development, conference participation, and industry engagement
Key responsibilities
Lead and oversee the ecology team, including workload planning, mentoring, and performance support
Establish and maintain technical quality standards (methods, data management, reporting, peer review)
Provide technical guidance across flora, fauna, aquatic, and fire ecology services
Oversee ecological survey design, field programmes, analysis, and reporting to consultancy‐grade standards
Act as a senior point of contact for clients, regulators, and project stakeholders
Contribute to proposals, scope development, budgeting, and resourcing
Promote safe field practices and compliance with WHS requirements
Collaborate closely with GIS and drone capability to improve survey efficiency and reporting clarity
While not primarily responsible for new business development, your assistance in generating additional business opportunities beyond our current clients would be valuable.
About you
You are a confident senior ecologist who enjoys leading people and lifting standards through coaching, clear processes, and sound judgement. You can switch easily between fieldwork, project strategy, client conversations, and quality assurance.
You will likely bring:
Demonstrated leadership or team supervision (formal or informal)
Broad capability across multiple ecology domains, with depth in at least one
High‐quality technical writing and the ability to review and improve others' work
Practical understanding of environmental approvals and regulatory expectations across Australian jurisdictions, primarily QLD.
A collaborative style and genuine interest in developing others
Mandatory inclusions and requirements
Applicants must meet the following:
Right to work in Australia (citizenship, permanent residency, or valid work visa)
Relevant tertiary qualification in environmental science, animal ecology, zoology, fire or other related discipline
Minimum 8 years' experience in Environmental or Ecological assessment and management sectors
High level experience with Ecological and Environmental assessment, approval and management under local, state and federal legislative requirements
State recognised botanist
Practical knowledge of work health and safety policies and procedures
Current Australian driver licence and willingness to travel for fieldwork as required
Construction Industry White Card
First Aid Certificate
Ability to be self‐managed, self‐motivated, work autonomously as well as in a team environment and have a strong work ethic
Experience leading a team
Ability to undertake fieldwork in variable conditions (remote locations, uneven terrain, heat, wet weather, overnight stays)
Willingness to complete project‐required checks such as police check, medical/fit‐for‐work, and site inductions (as applicable)
Ensure current regulatory knowledge and compliance in your specialist area
Desirable (not mandatory)
Advanced skills in at least one of: threatened species assessment, aquatic ecology, fire ecology, statistical analysis, or ecological monitoring design
High level of comfort working with GIS outputs and spatial data interpretation
Experience working with Traditional Owners and incorporating cultural and ecological knowledge respectfully
Business development experience, client relationship growth, or team scaling experience
CRM experience or willingness to learn CRM software.
Experience carrying out fire assessments and authoring management plans
Venomous Snake Handling Certificate
Lyssavirus vaccinated (or willing to obtain)
4WD Certificate
ISI Gas induction
Standard 11 generic induction
QLD coal board medical
How to apply
Submit:
CV
Cover letter outlining relevant leadership and consulting experience (1 to 2 pages)
Include your availabilityApplications will be assessed as they are received.
Privacy notice: Information provided will be used for recruitment purposes only and handled in line with applicable privacy requirements.
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