Ecologist

Advance Northumberland; Ashington; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Advance Northumberland is seeking an Ecologist to support Advance Green Futures in identifying, registering and delivering habitat banks and nature restoration projects. The role involves advising the Group on ecological matters and working with diverse teams to promote sustainability.

The successful candidate will have a relevant degree, detailed knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain, GIS proficiency, and a track record in habitat creation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Ecology or related field.
• Experience in habitat creation and management.
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain metrics and HMMPs.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Identify and register new habitat banks.
• Create habitat banks and habitat restoration/mitigation projects with project teams and external contractors.
• Develop and promote the Ecology Service and habitat bank business.
• Provide ecological advice to colleagues and stakeholders.
• Support development of the Graduate Ecologist and knowledge sharing.
• Undertake Environmental and Ecological Assessments as required.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Project coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Biodiversity Net Gain knowledge

Education

Degree in Ecology or related field

Tools

ARC GIS

Coreo

Job description

About The Role

Overview

As an Ecologist within the Advance Green Futures division of Advance Northumberland, you will be at the forefront of managing our ecology programme, supporting the work on our habitat banks and providing advice and guidance to arrangement of colleagues across the business.

This is a new role in a new part of the company, offering a rewarding and exciting opportunity to make a significant difference to the business and to nature recovery.

Key Attributes for this role are:

• Demonstrable experience of habitat creation and management, ecological assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• A good communicator and team player who can work as part of multi-disciplinary teams.

Salary: £32,182 to £45,000 (depending on experience) with performance related incentive scheme and excellent benefits.

Location: You will be working at the Advance Northumberland Wansbeck Workspace, located in Ashington, Northumberland, Rotary Parkway, NE63 8QZ. There will be an expectation that you will need to travel to other locations within Northumberland.

If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Ann Deary, Head of Ecology on 07720145709

Applications will close for this position on 17th September 2026 at 10am

Interviews will be held on 24th September 2026

This may be closed at an earlier period, if we receive a high number of applications.

Our Values

We are looking for people who embody the Advance Northumberland values; people who areaccountable and resilient, who are open to change with strong innovation skills. They will becollaborative; effective in relationship building and stakeholder engagement with the potential to build relationships effectively at all levels. They will demonstrate respectfor our colleagues, our customers and our partners and be able to use their initiative in their work. They will beambitious about their career and for the future success of Advance Northumberland, with a real customer and team focus; motivated and enthusiastic about their contribution to our success.

Who are we?

Overview

We are a diverse property and investment company who deliver opportunities to improve prosperity, tackle inequalities and drive economic growth in support of Northumberland County Council. We collaborate with stakeholders and partners to deliver positive physical and economic development and focus on the needs and aspirations of the county.

We have the recognition of being a Real Living Wage Employer, and other awards such as our Good Work Pledge, and the Ambassador Status for the Better Health at Work Award.

We have a mission to build a better future for people in Northumberland, as we focus exclusively on regenerating the county.

Recent Projects

Within Advance Northumberland Group we have several subsidiary companies, including our new build housing team - Ascent Homes, our residential lettings team, our commercial and investment team, our Land and Project team and our newly formed sustainability and ecology team – Advance Green Futures

Advance Green Futures

Our newly formed Ecology and Sustainability team is responsible for creating and managing the third largest habitat bank in the country, as well as ensuring that our activities are sustainable.

We have exciting plans for growth in this area of the business and to develop new business opportunities in the sustainability sector.

Working for Advance Northumberland

We care about our colleagues and their wellbeing and have been nationally recognised for this. Apart from the competitive salary, we also have fantastic benefits. We focus on our colleague’s health, wealth, and lifestyle.

Whilst working for us, you are eligible to receive a range of benefits, such as:

Role Profile

Job title: Ecologist

Reports to: Head of Ecology

Location: Wansbeck Workspace and other locations as part of the role.

Role Purpose:

• To support Advance Green Futures in identifying, registering and delivering habitat banks and nature restoration projects.
• To develop and promote the ecology team, providing advice on ecological matters to the Group and other interested parties and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Play a key role in identifying and registering new habitat banks.
• Play a key role in the creation of habitat banks and habitat restoration/mitigation projects working with project teams and external contractors.
• Develop and promote the Group’s Ecology Service and habitat bank business
• Provide advice on ecological matters to colleagues and other interested parties and stakeholders.
• Support the development of the Graduate Ecologist, sharing knowledge and experience.
• Undertake Environmental and Ecological Assessments as required by the Advance Northumberland Group.
• Provide advice concerning the ecological implications of proposed developments and planning applications to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and policy and to further nature conservation across the Group.
• Provide advice concerning the conservation and enhancement of ecological resources to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and policy and to further nature conservation and sustainability across the Group.
• Provide advice on options to deliver the most appropriate outcome at any site to balance the maximisation of beneficial ecological and financial outcomes
• Devise briefs for assessments, studies and mitigation works necessitated by planning conditions
• Devise specifications for ecological works to be carried out by internal or external contractors
• Ensure adequate supervision of ecological works to be carried out by internal or external contractors
• Represent Advance Northumberland at various external groups as appropriate.
• Support the delivery of the Group’s Sustainability targets
• Deliver internal and external communications to foster engagement and champion ecology and sustainability.
• Provide specialist representation on internal and external working and steering groups.

Generic Requirements for all colleagues

• Contribute to the creation of a positive culture in line with Advance Northumberland values
• Show commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace and ensure this is reflected in all activities
• Ensure a safe and sustainable working environment is promoted across the business
• Contribute to the financial performance of the business, in line with role responsibilities
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested

Personal Specification

Essential Criteria

• Relevant degree and membership of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management/other relevant body.
• Experience and knowledge of habitat creation and management.
• Experience and detailed working knowledge of the Biodiversity Net Gain metric and processes including Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs).
• Experience of UK Habs survey and assessment including demonstrable relevant botanical experience.
• Knowledge and experience of GIS systems and digital surveying tools (ARC GIS, Coreo).
• Experience of Ecological Impact Assessment.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience working with stakeholders including community groups and elected members.
• Experience of consenting regimes e.g. Natural England, Planning Consent, Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board.
• Detailed understanding of ecological legislation and policy.
• Detailed knowledge of UK Habitat, species and Biodiversity Net Gain legislation
• Detailed knowledge of techniques for the conservation, management and enhancement of habitats and species.
• Knowledge of funding regimes and opportunities for land management.
• Full UK Driving licence.

It would be good but not essential if you also have:

• Land management
• Project management
• Financial management
• Supply chain management
• Livestock management & animal welfare