Josh graduated from the University of Chester with a BSc degree in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology in 2021. During his time at university, Josh volunteered and assisted with great crested newt surveys across three breeding seasons, and also has experience in ecological consultancy through assisting with a season of bat presence / absence surveys.
Josh joined UES in June 2023 and in his current role as a Field Ecologist, he conducts a range of ecological surveys including protected species and habitat surveys, and biodiversity net gain (BNG) condition assessments, as well as preparing the associated ecological reports.
Josh holds level 4 field identification skills certificate (FISC) from the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI), which certifies him as competent to undertake preliminary ecological appraisals, as well as more complex botanical surveys, such as national vegetation classification (NVC) surveys. He has also undertaken RCA training and is accredited by the Cartographer RCA Team and Royal Geographical Society to undertake river condition assessments.
Josh holds Natural England (level 2), Natural Resources Wales and Nature Scot survey licences for great crested newts which allows him to legally disturb and handle these species. He is also listed as an accredited agent on the bat survey licence of Toby Hart in England, Scotland and Wales, and is working towards gaining his personal level 1 bat and hazel dormouse licences.
Josh also holds a City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 award in the Safe Use of Brush-cutters and Trimmers. Additionally, he holds a CSCS card and has undergone emergency first aid at work and asbestos awareness training.