Mid-level to Senior Ecologist

We are opening our doors at Lodge Environmental for another ecology team member to join us in 2026. Our selective hiring process will seek out a talented, adventurous and dedicated ecologist to join our team at our head office at Innovation Campus, North Wollongong. If you're ready to contribute to meaningful projects and work in a supportive, dynamic environment, on projects you believe in, we want to hear from you Position Overview Experience level – mid to senior level will be considered. In this role, you will coordinate and deliver field surveys, contribute to environmental creativity in project designs, and ensure our projects align harmoniously with local biodiversity and environmental legislation. Your work will be instrumental in achieving significant positive outcomes for our environment. Think – private land conservation, nature repair market, novel habitat creation, biodiversity surveys, balancing human activities with sustainable designs, and continuing to push the boundaries of ecological consulting. As a relatively small team, we are selective with our client base and project list – resulting in a fulfilling day to day for the team at Lodge. Company Overview Lodge Environmental is a dynamic and rapidly growing ecological consultancy with headquarters in the state of the art Innovation Campus, North Wollongong and a second office in the Southern Highlands. Our team of enthusiastic ecologists work collaboratively to deliver field surveys, advice and reporting across a range of fulfilling projects in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, and Shoalhaven areas, as well as further afield. We are purpose driven to shape a natural legacy we can be proud of. We have an onsite laboratory equipped with a large quiver of survey equipment and computing power for bioacoustics analysis and testing the lasting survey technology (eDNA, ai recognisers etc). Your Mission Driven by a passion for conservation and guided by a commitment to integrity and innovation, the mission in this role at Lodge Environmental is to lead impactful ecological projects that harmonise human activities with biodiversity. Leveraging expertise in ecology and legislative understanding, the goal is to pioneer nature positive outcomes, pushing boundaries to achieve sustainable solutions. About You Education and Qualifications: Recognised degree in Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Botany, Zoology or related tertiary education (TAFE or similar). Experience: 3+ years in a similar role. Skills: Competent in advanced flora and fauna identification in NSW vegetation communities. Work Eligibility: Must have the right to work in Australia. Key Attributes Aligned with company values; adventurous, solution oriented, positivity and teamwork, approachable, and integrity. Self-motivated, high agency individual aiming for Nature Positive outcomes. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Resilience to work outside in the elements of the Australian wilderness. Ability to inspire conservation and environmental stewardship among clients. Key Responsibilities Lead Field Surveys: Stratification of plant community types, flora and fauna surveys, targeted threatened species surveys, and completion of vegetation integrity plots. Project Management: Oversee projects, budgets, teams, and client/stakeholder expectations. Accredited Biodiversity Assessor: Or interested in gaining. Creativity: Champion novel ways to achieve excellent environmental outcomes using the latest survey technology and scientific understanding. Team Leadership: Delegate tasks and focus on complex project components. Proposal & Invoice Preparation: Develop and review proposals, prepare invoices, and meet monthly invoicing targets. Technical Tasks: Undertake GIS mapping, field-based surveys, and data analysis. Legislative Understanding: Apply knowledge of environmental legislation (BC Act, Nature Repair Act, EPBC Act, WM Act, EP&A Act, BOS, BAM, etc.). Offsetting Skills: Experience with TFD calculations, offset strategies, and completing Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessment Reports. Report Preparation and Review: Biodiversity Stewardship Site Assessments, Flora and Fauna Assessments, Ecological Constraints and Opportunities Assessments, Vegetation Management Plans, Fauna Management Plans, and Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports. Company Benefits Skill Development: Regular paid field learning days, seminars, conferences, and short-course qualifications. Work Environment: Being part of a truly great team. Companywide we meet every Monday to align project goals and touch base. The successful candidate will be part of a rapidly growing, exciting, and fun company. Giving Back: Lodge Environmental is a member of 1% For The Planet, donating 1% of sales to local environmental causes. We are also currently seeking B-Corp certification, with the aim to achieve it at the end of 2025. Community: We are heavily involved with environmental initiatives within our community and offer paid time to contribute. Work-Life Balance: Various options to ensure our staff's work-life balance is met. Flexibility: Option to work remotely (2 days a week) and flexible hours. The Usuals: Company clothing, birthday leave, social events, office coffee and kombucha, and a fully stocked environmental gadget library to deploy across our projects. The Office: Located at Innovation Campus, with onsite gym, cafés, table tennis and walking distance to North Beach. How to Apply Applications accepted until December 19, 2025. If you are passionate about making a beneficial impact on Australia’s biodiversity, please send an introductory email with your CV to ****@lodgeenviro.com.au. In your email, please address the following points: Relevant tertiary education. Experience within ecological consulting (or any ecological survey experience) and years in relevant roles. Understanding of environmental legislation. Example of when you have led or championed new, out-of-the-box thinking to achieve an environmental outcome in a business-minded context. Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad . #J-18808-Ljbffr