Nature Ecology Officer

Marketing Dimensions, UK; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A charity focused on green space management in Milton Keynes seeks a Nature Ecology Officer. This role involves managing biodiversity initiatives, providing ecological advice, and working collaboratively across teams. Candidates should have a BSc in ecology or related fields and experience with biodiversity net gain initiatives. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Contributory pension scheme up to 10%

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Generous annual leave allowance

Qualifications

• Education to BSc level in ecology, wildlife conservation or equivalent experience.
• BNG experience including metric training.
• Solid understanding of relevant legislation for protected species.
• Applied ecology experience in planning and practical works management.
• Experience providing legally based ecology advice on development projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead on preparation and assessment of sites for Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Manage protected species at the Trust.
• Develop protected species management system within GIS.
• Provide ecological services to Operations and Property teams.

Skills

Ecological advice

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Report writing

GIS software

Education

BSc in ecology or related area

MSc in ecology or related area

Tools

GIS software

Office 365

Job description

Established as an independent charity in 1992, The Parks Trust expertly cares for over 6,000 acres of beautiful and inspirational green space in Milton Keynes including parks, ancient woodlands, lakes, river valleys and 80 miles of landscaped areas along the citys grid roads.

In most towns and cities, parkland is owned by the local authority, but Milton Keynes founders were pioneers and decided to do things differently. Their vision was to create a new town where the parkland and landscapes would be protected forever by a charity that was separate from local government. Doing so would ensure that, as the new town grew, its green spaces would never be compromised or have to fight for funding.

That all became a reality when The Parks Trust was set up in 1992. The new charity was given a 999-year lease on a total of 4,500 acres of Milton Keynes and an endowment of property valued at £20m. Returns on these carefully managed investments generate the primary source of income required to fund the charitys wide-ranging work today and forever.

Over 100 staff and 240 volunteers deliver the essential work of The Parks Trust. In addition to landscaping and maintenance tasks, that also includes providing valuable recreation and leisure facilities, connecting communities at over 500 outdoor events each year, and advancing public education around the wildlife, biodiversity, and the environment.

As Milton Keynes grows, so does The Parks Trust. Each year, the charity takes on new green spaces and endowments from developers to cover costs in perpetuity. This approach ensures that all new areas of the city benefit from the same quality of inspiring, connected landscape and Milton Keynes remains a great place to live, work and play.

Position

This is an exciting time to join the Nature Services Team at The Parks Trust. Expanding to meet the opportunities presented by Biodiversity Net Gain, Countryside Stewardship, and a recent Lottery Award, the team is seeking to deliver ambitious uplift to our key nature sites and integrate wildlife throughout the parkland estate.

The Nature Ecology Officer role is a fantastic opportunity to get hands on with our developing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) offer. The role will be involved in all aspects of delivering BNG at the Trust, from undertaking site identification surveys and commissioning ecologists for condition assessments to liaising with developers on their BNG requirements and managing our agreements on a developing asset system.

The Operations Team is responsible for manage over 6000acres of greenspace and protected species feature in many parts of the landscape. The Nature Ecology Officer will play a key role in identifying and monitoring these species across our landscape and providing ecological services to those teams that manage habitats in and around protected species. Additionally, the role will supporting internal development projects at the Trust, acting as a key liaison and interpreter between the project team and external ecological consultants.

The role will be a blend of outside and office-based work and involve outside work in all season and conditions.

HOURS & SALARY INFO

Hours

• 37.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday
  
  

Salary

• £34,390 per annum
  
  

Key Objectives

• Lead on the preparation and assessment of sites for the Trusts Biodiversity Net Gain programme.
• Lead on protected species management at the Trust.
• Develop and manage a protected species management system within the Trusts GIS.
  
  

Provide specialist ecological advice on protected species to support the Operations and Property teams

Requirements

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION ATTACHED.

Essential

• Education to BSc level in ecology, wildlife conservation or a related area; or equivalent experience (minimum of 2 years)
• BNG experience including metric training and performing condition assessments.
• Has a solid understanding of the relevant legislation for the following protected species: Great Crested Newts, Bats, Barn Owls, Dormice, and Badgers and hold relevant licenses for at least two of these.
• Applied ecology experience both in terms of planning and practical works management.
• Experience providing legally based ecology and protected species advice on development projects and habitat management work.
• Good stakeholder management skills (internal and external)
• Report writing to a degree/professional ecology standard
• Experience of using Office 365.
• Competent in using GIS software.
• Has or is working towards a CIEEM Associate membership.
• Ability to travel around Milton Keynes independently.
  
  

Desirable

• MSc in ecology, wildlife conservation or a related area; or equivalent experience.
• Has Associate membership of CIEEM.
• Training and experience in an ecological consultancy
• Has protected species licences for all species listed above.
• Familiar using Esri GIS suite.
• Full Driving Licence.
  
  

Personal Attributes

• Confident providing ecological advice
• Interest in wildlife, biodiversity and conservation
• Can work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Clear and effective communicator
  
  

Awareness and embodiment of CIEEMs code of professional conduct

Other Information

In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Competitive salary.
• Ongoing support and training.
• Excellent contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution).
• Income protection and life assurance cover after qualifying period.
• Enhanced family friendly policies after qualifying period.
• Home Working policy.
• Occupational sick pay.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for tech & electric cars.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Wellbeing day off per year.
• Buying and Selling option for annual leave.
• Medical Cash Plan.
• Access to employee wellbeing helpline.
• Discount for Willen Lake activities and café.
• Free eye tests.
• Great office in a parkland setting with free parking.
  
  

Application process

Please apply online using the link through our website using Cezanne.

• Deadline for applications - 10th August 2025
• 1st Stage Teams Interviews - 14th August 2025
  
  

2nd Stage In Person interviews - week commencing 25th August 2025.

The Parks Trust is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, Charity Commission guidance and best practice standards.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

If you need additional support with your application or would like further information, please contact .

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