Ecologist (Highways Services)

Cyngor Sir Ceredigion County Council; Aberaeron; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Wales is seeking an Ecologist to provide specialist advice on ecological matters. Responsibilities include managing ecological surveys, conducting environmental impact assessments, and liaising with statutory organizations. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Ecology, a membership of a professional body, and fluency in Welsh. The position offers a supportive work environment and a comprehensive benefits package, aimed at developing your career while ensuring work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working

Competitive annual leave allowance

Pension scheme with 14.6% employer contribution

Enhanced family benefits

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Ecology or a related discipline.
• Full or Associated Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Good knowledge and understanding of ecology, survey methodologies, habitat management.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice on ecological and biodiversity matters.
• Manage the delivery of ecological surveys and assessments.
• Advise on Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments.

Skills

Good knowledge of ecology

Excellent interpersonal skills

Team player

Fluency in Welsh

Excellent communication skills

Education

Degree or equivalent in Ecology

Full or Associated Membership of a professional body

Job description

We operate a bilingual policy. All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

We are seeking to recruit an Ecologist to join our Highway Asset & Design team on a permanent, full time basis.

On a day to day basis you will:

• Undertake and support the provision of professional specialist and technical advice on all ecological and biodiversity matters to Ceredigion County Council‘s Service Areas & Clients
• To liaise with Biodiversity Officers and maintain close working links with the Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations and local Wildlife Trusts and to advise other services, agencies and bodies as necessary.
• To undertake and where appropriate manage the delivery of ecological surveys, assessments, monitoring, environmental statements and prepare licenses upon individual projects.
• To provide environmental supervision (Ecological Clerk of Works role) to various CCC Service Areas (e.g. Highways, Local Environment, Property Services, etc.). This could include:
  • Providing environmental site induction and training;
  • Ensuring works are carried out in line with relevant legislation, policies, good practice standards and protected species licence specifications; and
  • Ensuring mitigation is undertaken to the required specifications etc
• To advise on the need for and undertake Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Screening/ Determination) and Scoping and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) (Test of Likely Significant Effect (TLSE) and Appropriate Assessment (AA)) as required under the Town and Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 2011and the Conservation of Habitat and Species Regulations 2010.
• To advise on and obtain CCW Assent for proposals within SSSIs.
• To support the SuDS Approval Body (SAB) and Lead Local Flood Authority (CCC) with SuDS approvals and the Ordinary Watercourse Regulatory function in line with the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. This will include assessing pre-application and applications for SAB/EIA / HRA / TLSE / SSSI Assent , potential ecological impacts, providing technical advice regarding ecology/biodiversity matters and supporting the consenting process where required.
• To support the County Council in addressing its NERC Act duty, having regard to the conservation of biodiversity, including:
  • Integrating biodiversity within corporate priorities and policies;
  • Providing expert and up-to-date advice and guidance to other services on the implementation of the biodiversity duty across all of the authority’s functions
  • Providing appropriate training across the authority.

We are looking to recruit an individual with:

• Degree or equivalent in Ecology or a related discipline
• Full or Associated Membership of a relevant professional body
• Good knowledge and understanding of ecology, survey methodologies, habitat management and restoration.
• An appreciation of the range of engineering design procedures from feasibility to construction.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentational and negotiating skills
• Team player and highly motivated
• Excellent communication and ICT skills
• Full valid UK driving license

In addition to the above, we require an individual with a degree of fluency in the Welsh language. A successful applicant without the required Welsh language skill will be fully supported to reach the desired standard within two years of appointment.

Our offer to you

We are committed to developing our people and will not only provide support to enable you to quickly and confidently take ownership of this role’s key areas of responsibility but in addition, we are committed to supporting your development in order that you can progress your career with us.

In exchange for your skills and commitment we will offer you a range of employee benefits including flexible working, competitive annual leave allowance, pension scheme with 14.6% employer contribution, enhanced family benefits, lifestyle savings and employee health and wellbeing packages.

More information about our wide-ranging employee benefits can be found here .

Note: We reserve the right to extend the application closing date.

What we offer

Work-life balance

Lifestyle savings scheme

Generous employer pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Learning and development

Where you'll work

Highways and Environmental

We deliver efficient, sustainable and bilingual services to the people of Ceredigion, promoting well-being in our communities, pride in a healthy well-kept environment, and confidence in our local economy. Our key responsibilities include:

• Transport Services: Corporate transport; Fleet management; Parking Services; Harbours.
• Highways Maintenance: Cyclic and Routine Maintenance; Emergency response; Highways inspection; Winter service.
• Highways Development: Planning liaison; Road safety; Regional transport; Street lighting; Streetworks; Traffic management; CWIC/NMWTRA; Design supervision; Flood and coastal risk management; Highways improvement.
• Local Environment Services: Waste Collections; Household waste sites; Grounds maintenance; Street cleaning.

Aberaeron Aberaeron is a picture perfect harbour town and is one of Ceredigion's best loved holiday destinations with fashionable places to stay and eat.
Read more