Senior Field Ecologist

About AiDASH
AiDASH is an enterprise AI company and the leading provider of vegetation risk intelligence for electric utilities. Powered by proprietary VegetationAI™ technology, AiDASH delivers a unified remote grid inspection and monitoring platform that uses a SatelliteFirst approach to identify and address vegetation and other threats to the grid. With a prevention-first strategy to mitigate wildfire risk and minimize storm impacts, AiDASH helps more than 140 utilities reduce costs, improve reliability, and lower liability across their networks. AiDASH exists to safeguard critical utility infrastructure and secure the future of humanAIty™. Learn more at www.aidash.com. We are a Series C growth company backed by leading investors, including Shell Ventures, National Grid Partners, G2 Venture Partners, Duke Energy, Edison International, Lightrock, Marubeni, among others. We have been recognized by Forbes two years in a row as one of "America's Best Startup Employers." We are also proud to be one of the few software companies in Time Magazine's "America's Top GreenTech Companies 2024". Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ recently ranked us at No. 12 among San Francisco Bay Area companies, and No. 59 overall in their selection of the top 500 for 2024. Join us in Securing Tomorrow!

About AiDash
AiDASH is making critical infrastructure industries climate-resilient and sustainable with satellites and AI. Using our full-stack SaaS solutions, customers in electric, gas, water utilities, transportation, and construction are transforming asset inspection and maintenance - and complying with biodiversity net gain mandates and carbon capture goals. AiDASH exists to safeguard critical infrastructure and secure the future of humanAIty™. Learn more at www.aidash.com We are a Series C climate tech startup backed by leading investors, including Shell Ventures, National Grid Partners, G2 Venture Partners, Duke Energy, Edison International, Lightrock, Marubeni, among others. We have been recognized by Forbes two years in a row as one of "America's Best Startup Employers." We are also proud to be one of the few climate software companies in Time Magazine's "America's Top GreenTech Companies 2024". Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ recently ranked us at No. 12 among San Francisco Bay Area companies, and No. 59 overall in their selection of the top 500 for 2024. Join us in Securing Tomorrow!

The Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Field Ecologist for a 1-year contract to lead ground verification of our AI and satellite-powered Biodiversity Net Gain assessments. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned ecologist to future-proof your career by building deep expertise at the intersection of ecology and technology - spending your days in the field doing what you love while working with cutting-edge BNGAI software that eliminates the administrative burden you've grown to dislike. This role is perfect for ecologists who are passionate about fieldwork but frustrated by endless desk-based tasks. Our AI and satellite technology handles the tedious administrative work - habitat mapping, metric calculations, and report generation - so you can focus on what matters: conducting high-quality ground surveys, verifying outputs, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Beyond fieldwork, you'll collaborate closely with our Solutions Ecology team to continuously improve our processes and product capabilities. Your field insights will directly shape how our technology evolves, giving you genuine influence over the future of BNG assessments across the industry.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique
Technology Meets Nature: You'll master BNGAI software and automated reporting systems while spending the majority of your time outdoors or with customers conducting surveys across beautiful landscapes throughout the UK.
Career Future-Proofing: Differentiate yourself by building expertise in AI-powered ecological assessment - a skillset that will become increasingly valuable as the industry evolves toward technology-enabled solutions.
Senior Influence: Work alongside our in-house solutions ecology consultant team to improve methodologies, validate AI outputs, and contribute to product development based on your extensive field experience.
Maximum Autonomy: Manage your own survey schedule, travel arrangements, and fieldwork approach with complete expenses coverage and trust in your professional judgment.

How you'll make an impact:
Lead field-based verification surveys across the UK using our BNGAI Ground Survey app to validate AI and satellite-powered biodiversity assessments
Provide senior-level quality assurance on BNG Baseline reports generated through our automated systems
Work directly with customers on their BNG needs
Collaborate with our Solutions Ecology team to refine product capabilities, validation protocols, and survey methodologies based on field observations
Mentor and support other field ecologists in the team, sharing expertise and best practices
Autonomously manage complex survey schedules, prioritisation, and travel logistics
During periods of reduced field requirements, support customer technical inquiries and contribute ecological expertise to product development
Act as a bridge between field reality and technology development, ensuring our AI outputs meet professional standards
Provide strategic input on habitat assessment approaches and BNG compliance requirements

What we're looking for:
Professional Credentials
Chartered or full member status with CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management)
Degree in ecology, environmental science, or related field
Valid UK driving license

Technical Excellence
Extensive experience conducting Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and ground verification
Expert knowledge of UK habitat classification systems (Phase 1, UKHab, NVC)
Deep understanding of BNG metrics, calculations, and statutory requirements
Proven track record of producing high-quality ecological reports and assessments
Comfortable adopting and mastering field-based technological tools and applications

Field Expertise
5+ years of demonstrated experience in ecological fieldwork, ideally working with developers and/or large corporates
Independent survey delivery with excellent time management and self-organization
Experience working across diverse habitat types and geographical regions
Confident decision-making in the field regarding habitat classification and condition assessment
Strong health and safety awareness and compliance in varied field conditions

Mindset & Approach
Genuine enthusiasm for technology and innovation in ecological practice
Intellectual curiosity about how AI and satellite data can enhance field ecology
Collaborative approach to working with technical teams and product developers
Adaptable to new tools, processes, and ways of working
Passionate about spending time outdoors while embracing modern solutions to administrative challenges
Willing to travel for site visits
Comfortable presenting findings to customers

Desirable Qualifications
Field Identification Skills Certificate level 4 or equivalent
Experience with GIS software or spatial data analysis
Current first aid training
Experience mentoring junior ecologists
Knowledge of emerging BNG policy and regulatory developments

Practical Requirements
Willingness to travel extensively throughout UK
Home office setup for remote work during quieter periods

What we offer:
Contract Details
1-year fixed-term contract with potential for extension
Competitive senior-level salary
All travel and accommodation expenses are fully covered
Professional Development
Training on cutting-edge BNGAI technology platform
Collaboration with Solutions Ecology and Product teams
Exposure to AI and satellite technology in ecological applications
Opportunity to shape industry-leading assessment methodologies

Work Environment
Maximum time in the field, minimum time on administration
Genuine autonomy and trust in your professional expertise
Remote work flexibility during non-survey periods
Supportive team of ecological and technical professionals

The Future-Proof Advantage
This role positions you at the forefront of ecological practice, combining your field expertise with technological innovation. As BNG becomes embedded in planning systems and AI-assisted assessments become standard practice, you'll have built the unique skillset that sets you apart in the market. If you're a senior ecologist who loves fieldwork but is tired of drowning in paperwork, and you're excited about being part of technology that's transforming the profession, we'd love to hear from you.

We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices, and we promote a work environment where everyone, from any race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, can do their best work. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible interview experience for all candidates. Please let us know if you require any accommodation during the interview process, and we will make every effort to meet your needs.