Senior/Lead Ecologist

Tucker Environmental is an NSW-based advisory and project development firm working at the intersection of biodiversity, carbon and land stewardship. The company helps landholders, project proponents and investors understand, develop and realise value from environmental assets, including biodiversity, native vegetation, soil and carbon. Tucker Environmental is recruiting a Senior/Lead Ecologist to help lead biodiversity work across NSW, with a particular focus on Biodiversity Stewardship Sites and Nature Repair Market project development.

This is positioned as a lead ecology role for someone who wants more than a standard consulting position quantifying impacts. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director, engage directly with landholders and clients, contribute to technical delivery, and help shape how Tucker Environmental grows its biodiversity capability. The role offers exposure to integrated natural capital work across carbon project development, landholder engagement, land use strategy and emerging methodologies.

Key responsibilities include leading BAM-based project delivery across NSW (site assessments, vegetation integrity assessment, ecosystem and species credit considerations, mapping inputs, data interpretation and technical reporting); preparing and reviewing BSSARs and feasibility assessments; managing vegetation assessment, Threatened Species surveys and vegetation community identification; providing technical ecological advice across biodiversity and carbon projects; engaging with landholders, clients, regulators and specialist subcontractors; and contributing to business development.

Essential skills include a degree in Ecology, Botany, Environmental Science or related discipline; practical knowledge of NSW and Commonwealth environmental legislation including the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method, Local Land Services Act and EPBC Act; experience preparing and reviewing BSSARs, BDARs and Protected Matters reports; vegetation assessment, plant identification and ecological survey capability; strong written communication; and a high level of organisation. NSW BAM accreditation, consulting experience, experience with NSW SSD/SSI projects and offset strategies, and exposure to carbon project development and natural capital markets are highly regarded.

The company offers genuine autonomy and influence over project direction, the chance to work across both biodiversity and carbon assets, support for training and BAM Accreditation maintenance, mapping software and GIS support, and deeper commercial exposure through client engagement and project origination. Strong early-career ecologists ready to step into more responsibility are also welcome to apply.