Baker Consultants

From Seasonal Surveyor to Assistant Ecologist: Erica Wilson-Bass Joins Baker Consultants

After a year as one of our keenest seasonal surveyors Erica joins the Baker Consultants ecology team as an assistant ecologist. She completed her MSc in Biodiversity Conservation at Nottingham Trent University in 2026 has already developed skills in surveying for bats, GCN, reptiles, dormice and water vole over the last two years.

Erica has a particular interest in riparian mammal ecology and volunteers as an otter surveyor for her local wildlife trust. Her MSc research project reviewed the genetic techniques being used to conserve the European water vole.

On her new appointment, Erica said; “I was first introduced to Baker Consultants at university, when Kelly came to deliver a lecture on bats for our ‘protected species surveying’ module. By this point I had already secured a seasonal surveying role at another consultancy, where I learned an awful lot, but knew I wanted to aim for Baker Consultants the following season. As an early career ecologist (and someone making a career change), I really like the strong focus that Baker Consultants has on CPD, and as I move to a permanent role I am particularly looking forward to getting involved with reporting as I’d like to learn how to apply context to the results I have been helping to collect over the summer. My goal is to upskill in riparian mammal surveys and botanical identification, with the aim of specialising in aquatic environments. I’m excited to see where my career here takes me.”

Erica recently completed her MSc in Biodiversity Conservation at Nottingham Trent University in 2026

Associate Director Kelly Clark comments, “We have worked closely with Nottingham Trent University to bring in seasonal staff as it’s a great way for students to see whether consultancy will suit them and for us to get ahead of the queue when recruiting. Erica brings enthusiasm and an interesting skill set to the team. We welcome her on board and are looking forward to helping her develop her specialisms alongside getting stuck in with the full range of project work.”

 

If you’re interested in joining the Baker Consultants team, and exploring what you could do with your Friday’s off thanks to our 4-day week, do get in touch via jobs@bakerconsultants.co.uk.