Ecologist

Milton Keynes City Council; Northampton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Milton Keynes City Council is seeking an Ecologist to support planning decisions through ecological assessments and field surveys. You will prepare clear, evidence-based reports and advise on wildlife protection measures, ensuring biodiversity considerations are integrated into developments.

You will collaborate with planning officers, landscape teams, external consultants, and community stakeholders, contributing to local biodiversity strategies while adhering to legislation and best practices.

Qualifications

• Strong ecological field work skills and wildlife surveys.
• Proficiency in report writing with evidence-based documentation.
• Experience with Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) planning documents.
• Degree in ecology, environmental science, or conservation biology.
• Knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and biodiversity standards.
• Ability to work on-site in outdoor conditions and manage multiple projects.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; stakeholder engagement.
• Professional memberships (e.g., CIEEM) and local government or consultancy experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Prepare clear, evidence-based ecological reports for planning applications.
• Advise on Environmental Impact Assessments and wildlife protection.
• Collaborate with planning officers, landscape teams, external consultants, and community stakeholders.
• Contribute to local biodiversity strategies and policy integration.

Skills

Ecological field work

Report writing

EIA reports

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Communication skills

On-site work

CIEEM membership

Education

Degree in ecology / environmental science / conservation biology

Job description

Company Description

Milton Keynes City Council is the local authority for the City of Milton Keynes, committed to serving residents and supporting sustainable development across the area. The Council promotes a safe, respectful, and accurate online environment, actively moderating content to prevent offensive, misleading, or harmful posts. It encourages responsible use of social media, asking users not to share personal information and to take ownership of what they post. The Council responds promptly to flagged inappropriate content and may remove posts or block users to protect the community. This commitment to safety, integrity, and accountability reflects the Council’s broader values in delivering public services and shaping the local environment.

Role Description

This full-time Ecologist role working within Milton Keynes City Council’s environmental and planning functions. The Ecologist will provide responses to planning applications, carry out ecological field surveys, habitat assessments, and species monitoring to inform planning and conservation decisions. Day-to-day tasks include preparing clear and evidence-based ecological reports, advising on Environmental Impact Assessments, and providing guidance on wildlife protection and habitat management. The role involves collaborating with planning officers, landscape teams, external consultants, and community stakeholders to integrate biodiversity considerations into projects and policies. The Ecologist will also support compliance with relevant legislation and best practice, contribute to local biodiversity strategies, and help promote ecological awareness across the Council.

Qualifications

• Strong ecological field work skills, including practical experience with Wildlife surveys and Botany.
• Proficiency in Report Writing, with the ability to produce clear, accurate, and evidence-based ecological documentation.
• Experience contributing to and reviewing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and related planning documents.
• Relevant degree in ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy, and biodiversity standards (e.g., protected species, habitat regulations).
• Ability to work on-site in varied outdoor conditions, manage multiple projects, and meet statutory and internal deadlines.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with a collaborative and inclusive working style.
• Professional memberships (e.g., CIEEM) and experience in local government or consultancy are advantageous.