Ecologist

Dorset Council; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Dorchester seeks an Ecologist to join their Natural Environment Team. Responsibilities include providing ecological advice on planning applications and collaborating with various agencies. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and communication skills. This full-time position offers opportunities in environmental planning and community engagement.

Benefits

Access to training opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Understanding of environmental legislation.
• Experience in delivering ecological advice.
• Flexible approach to work and travel.

Responsibilities

• Prioritise responses to planning applications.
• Provide ecological advice on Council's projects.
• Work collaboratively with other teams and agencies.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Knowledge of planning system

Education

Relevant degree

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an Ecologist to join our friendly and passionate Natural Environment Team at Dorset Council. With a growing portfolio of planning and project work we are looking for someone who is personable, qualified and can hit the ground running. The Natural Environment Team consists of ecologists and local nature recovery officers – the team is friendly and professional.

What You Will Be Doing

The role primarily involves prioritising responses to planning applications and providing ecological advice to colleagues on Council’s projects. Depending on your experience you will be part of the team of ecologists that deliver sound and timely ecological/technical advice on nature conservation issues and wildlife legislation, including Biodiversity Net Gain, across a range of planning applications and projects that vary in size, type, and complexity.

You will be expected to provide ecological advice on behalf of Dorset Council to other statutory agencies and non-governmental organisations for a range of project work, working with alongside other Council teams.

We are looking for an Ecologist at grade 7-8, you will have a wide variety of opportunities including contributing to advice for the emerging Local Plan including developing supplementary planning guidance, helping deliver Biodiversity Net Gain, collaboration on nature recovery networks, engaging with colleagues and partners across the County and South-West England.

You will need to demonstrate your experience and level of knowledge in your application and at interview.

About You

You will have a relevant degree, an understanding of the current planning system and environmental legislation. You will need to be a good communicator, both written and verbally and be able to work on your own as well as part of a team. A knowledge of Dorset wildlife and habitats would be desirable but not essential.

The post will involve delivering planning advice and projects simultaneously therefore you should have excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise with changing parameters and tight deadlines.

You will need to have a flexible approach to work, traveling to meetings and site visits, working in the office and at home together with working at evening and/or weekend meetings if required. It is necessary to have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Further Information

This post is full time (37 hours per week) and permanent.

Dorset Council uses generic job descriptions therefore please look at the context statement for detailed duties for this role.

If you have any questions about the position, you would like more information please contact Nikki Taylor - [email protected] or Sam Williams – [email protected]

About Us

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We

• provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents


• work in partnership to make a real difference


• value every role and the impact it has on our communities


• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You Will

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset


• have access to a range of benefits and support


• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.