Introduction

Senior Ecologist (Avifaunal 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 Africa’s 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 their Ecology Team and seeking a highly capable and motivated Senior Ecologist with a strong avian ecology (bat would be an added advantage) background to lead bird monitoring programmes and coordinate field ecological assessments across multiple renewable energy projects.

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

Role Overview

The Senior Ecologist (Avifaunal Focus) will lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of bird 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 requires exceptional project management discipline, ensuring every ecological component is delivered to the highest technical and professional standards.

This is a hands-on and leadership-oriented role that 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 Ecology (Primary Focus)

Design, plan, and lead bird (and bat would be an advantage but not a deal breaker) monitoring programmes for 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 with DFFE and BirdLife South Africa guidelines.
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 workstreams, providing updates, technical guidance, and progress tracking.

Project Management & Team Coordination (Core Requirement)

Take full ownership of project planning, scheduling, and delivery, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met on time and within scope.
Coordinate and supervise field teams, subcontractors, and data analysts across 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 internal QA/QC systems, data protocols, and safety procedures in 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 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 SACNASP as a Professional Natural Scientist (Ecological Science category) — mandatory.
5–8 years’ professional experience in 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 (NEMA, NEMBA, NWA, NHRA).
Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel nationally for fieldwork.

Preferred / Advantageous Experience

In-depth knowledge of South African bird and bat monitoring guidelines (DFFE / BirdLife SA).
Familiarity with wind farm post-construction monitoring, curtailment studies, and collision-risk mitigation.
Experience supervising junior ecologists and field technicians in remote or multi-site conditions.
Proficiency with GIS (QGIS/ArcGIS) and ecological data management platforms.
Experience with automated monitoring technologies (e.g. Bioseco, ASDOD/OLSDOD, NRG systems).

Personal Attributes

We’re 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 in South Africa’s renewable energy ecology landscape.
Deliver projects that combine scientific 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

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 their updated CV’s to cvs4ruarke@therecruiters.co.za

Senior Ecologist (Avifaunal Focus) - Leading Environmental Group - Cape Town - RK091026-4453

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Senior Ecologist (Avifaunal Focus) - Leading Environmental Group - Cape Town - RK091026-4453