Ecologist

Northumberland County Council; Morpeth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave (26 days)

LGPS pension

Flexi scheme

Job summary

Northumberland County Council's Planning Service is seeking an experienced Ecologist to join a small team of five. You will provide specialist ecological advice across development management and strategic planning, review planning applications, and help develop policies to protect wildlife in housing, industry, and mining projects.

You will liaise with landowners to establish habitat banks, advise other council services, and contribute to nature recovery across a large county with diverse

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or related subject and detailed understanding of nature conservation law, land use planning and biodiversity net gain.
• Understanding how to secure best wildlife outcomes through the planning system and ability to identify habitats and species and assess significance.
• Excellent communicator capable of influencing stakeholders and managing a busy caseload with competing priorities.
• A full driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Review planning applications and provide ecological input throughout development management and strategic planning.
• Advise on biodiversity net gain and nature recovery in policy development.
• Liaise with other Council services to deliver ecological advice and cross-team collaboration.
• Work with landowners to develop and oversee habitat banks in Northumberland.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Ecology

Tools

Full driving licence

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Ecologist to join our growing team of five ecologists working within the Council's Planning Service. You will provide specialist advice throughout all stages of the development management and strategic planning process. You will review planning applications and assist with policy development, working with colleagues across the Planning Service to secure the best outcomes for wildlife in contexts ranging from housing schemes and industrial development to large minerals sites. You will also provide advice about ecological matters to other services in the Council, and work with landowners to develop and oversee a supply of habitat banks in Northumberland. This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and supportive team, working in a large and diverse county with a stunning coastline and extensive uplands rich in important habitats and species. As the Planning Service begins work on a new Local Plan with increased housing targets and ambitious plans for economic growth, you will play a key role in protecting important habitats and species and securing significant opportunities for nature recovery.

• You will have a degree in Ecology or a related subject and detailed understanding of nature conservation legislation, the land use planning system and biodiversity net gain.
• You will understand how to secure the best outcomes for wildlife through the planning system and will be confident in identifying a range of habitats and species and in assessing their significance.
• You will be a good communicator who is able to influence a range of stakeholders and be confident in managing a busy caseload and competing priorities.
• A full driving licence is required.
• Northumberland County Council's (NCC) vision is 'Land of Great Opportunities', for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.
• We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:
• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) - up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)

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