Ecologist

North Yorkshire Council; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Northallerton is seeking an Ecologist to promote biodiversity and provide specialized ecological advice. You will support planning and development initiatives, ensuring compliance with conservation regulations. The role includes helping shape policies on biodiversity and engaging with communities and stakeholders. This hybrid role requires occasional travel across North Yorkshire.

Qualifications

• Degree level education in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of current English nature conservation legislation.
• Experience providing ecological advice in the UK planning system.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert ecological advice on planning applications.
• Support implementation of the statutory local development plan.
• Contribute to habitat creation and restoration.

Skills

Ecological advice

Knowledge of biodiversity

Stakeholder negotiation

Project management

Education

Degree in ecology/environmental subject

Job description

Our team

The Council’s Planning Services play a fundamental role in managing the natural and built environment, ensuring that the future development needs of the area can be accommodated to make it a better place in which to live and work.

The Environment & Design workstream comprises a multidisciplinary team of specialists, who support the Council’s role in place‑shaping by working across the whole planning function. The specialisms include ecology, building conservation, archaeology, and landscape and urban design.

Role summary

Our Ecologists promote the protection and enhancement of the County’s biodiversity, ensuring that it is an integral part of the Council’s growth and place‑making agenda.

You will provide specialist ecological advice to ensure statutory requirements and Council objectives are met. This includes providing advice on the impact of development proposals where these affect the natural environment, supporting the preparation of the Council’s Local Plan, and helping to shape the delivery of biodiversity net gain in North Yorkshire.

The role is hybrid in nature, with a combination of working from home and attendance at either our Northallerton or Harrogate offices. Occasional travel will be required across the whole of North Yorkshire.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide expert ecological advice on pre‑application enquiries, planning applications and enforcement cases including undertaking site visits where appropriate.
• Support the preparation, implementation and review of the statutory local development plan, including assessing the impact on biodiversity of site allocations.
• Support the team in the delivery of a habitat banking process.
• Support the development of nature‑positive policies and guidance for developers, landowners and the public.
• Help deliver ecological programmes and biodiversity projects with partners and communities.
• Contribute to habitat creation and restoration, including work with the minerals and waste industry.
• Deliver training and build in‑house capacity on biodiversity and ecological matters.
• Assist with statutory duties under the NERC Act 2006 and Environment Act 2021.

Experience / Qualifications:

• Education to degree level in a relevant ecology/environmental subject.
• Knowledge of current English nature conservation legislation, guidance and planning policy.
• Knowledge of legislation and policy relating to biodiversity net gain and its delivery through the development management process.
• Knowledge of British wildlife habitats and species.
• Experience in the provision of ecological advice in the UK planning system.
• Experience of liaison and negotiation with stakeholders and partners.
• Experience of managing workload within set deadlines; able to use own initiative to plan time effectively.

Contact and Apply…

For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Piran Borlase‑Hendry, Environment Design Manager (Ecology): [e-mail].

Applying is easy. Simply click Apply now, register your details and upload your CV by midnight Sunday 16th November 2025.

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