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- Tasks: Support biodiversity projects and engage with communities to promote ecological awareness.
- Company: Chorley Council, committed to sustainability and community well-being.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, healthcare cash plan, and volunteering days.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local biodiversity and develop your career in ecology.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or related field, strong data handling skills, and enthusiasm for biodiversity.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available; join a supportive team dedicated to ecological resilience.
The predicted salary is between 26500 - 28000 £ per year.
About The Role
Role: Assistant Ecology Officer
Location: Chorley (Hybrid)
Contract: Part Time (0.6 FTE / 21.75 hours) / Permanent
Salary: £31,537 – £33,699
Closing Date: 19 October 2025
Are you passionate about protecting and enhancing biodiversity? We\’re looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Assistant Ecologist to join our dedicated team at Chorley Council. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of nature recovery and biodiversity net gain (BNG) across the borough, working on a variety of projects that contribute to sustainable development and ecological resilience. If you\’re keen to make a real difference in your local environment and develop your career in ecology within a supportive and forward-thinking council, we\’d love to hear from you.
What you\\\’ll be getting up to
Chorley Council strives to be a green and sustainable borough, and to help achieve this we are preparing a Biodiversity Strategy to set a framework for nature recovery. The assistant ecologist will have a critical role in supporting the council\\\’s ecological work across a broad range of exciting and impactful areas. Responsibilities will include:
- Support the Biodiversity Gain Project Lead to provide ecological advice to the Planning Department to help ensure developments contribute positively to biodiversity.
- Provide support in the preparation and delivery of Council publications such as the Biodiversity Strategy and Biodiversity Duty reporting.
- Provide a supporting role in the implementation of statutory Biodiversity Net Gain and creation of a Biodiversity Gain Site network in the borough.
- Conduct habitat and ecological surveys for the purposes of BNG and monitoring.
- Handle large sets of ecological and monitoring data, including mapping, analysis, and reporting to inform decision-making and monitor progress.
- Engage with local communities, stakeholders, and partners through outreach and education to promote nature recovery and ecological awareness.
Who we\\\’re looking for
We\\\’re looking for someone who has attention to detail, enthusiasm and a commitment to protecting and enhancing biodiversity. The ideal candidate will have:
- A degree (or equivalent) in ecology, environmental science or related subject
- A good understanding of UK habitats, species and ecological principles
- Experience and knowledge of environmental legislation and ecological survey techniques
- Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) principles and a willingness to learn
- Strong data handling and reporting skills
- Experience using GIS software for mapping and spatial analysis (ideally QGIS)
- Confidence in communicating ecological information to a range of audiences, including the general public
- A willingness to engage with local communities and stakeholders through outreach and engagement
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
Other requirements
- This role may require some travel around our boroughs. It is desirable for the candidate to have a valid driving license or the equivalent mobility.
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or working towards gaining accreditation (the council will support the application and membership)
Our Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (and Christmas shutdown)
- Hybrid/agile working from day one
- Local Government pension
- Healthcare Cash Plan for cash back on health treatments
- Cashback website access for savings on brands you love
- Volunteering days
- Free parking
Many of our colleagues work flexibly for us. We\\\’re always open to conversations around different working arrangements. If you\\\’re interested in part-time, compressed hours or any other working arrangement, please get in touch with us through the \”Contact Us\” form on our careers website.
About Us
Chorley Council is dedicated to providing first-class services and promoting the well-being of the local community. Our staff are our greatest resource, at the heart of everything we do, and are crucial to the delivery of excellent services for our residents. At Chorley Council, we\\\’re always striving to make our borough the best to live, work and visit.
Working Together
We share a number of our services with South Ribble Borough Council. This allows for improved resilience across both councils and provides numerous benefits to our operations. Whilst some staff and back-end processes are shared between the Councils, both Councils still retain sovereignty and have separate strategies and corporate plans.
Additional information
Applicants are advised to apply early. We reserve the right to close a vacancy prior to the closing date.
Equal Opportunities
We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to the elimination of unfair and unlawful discrimination and prejudice in all our policies, procedures, and practices.
We\\\’re committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process, please contact us via the \”Contact Us\” page on our website.
If you are disabled or your last employer was the armed forces, and you meet all the essential criteria of a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
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Assistant Ecology Officer employer: Chorley Council & South Ribble Council
Contact Detail:
Chorley Council & South Ribble Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Ecology Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the ecology field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's current projects and initiatives. Show your passion for biodiversity and sustainability by discussing how your skills can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Chorley Council. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Ecology Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for biodiversity and ecology shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about making a difference in the local environment!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We love seeing how your background aligns with our goals at Chorley Council, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your written application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chorley Council & South Ribble Council
✨Know Your Ecology Stuff
Brush up on your knowledge of UK habitats, species, and ecological principles. Be ready to discuss how your academic background and any practical experience relate to the role, especially regarding Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) principles.
✨Show Your Passion for Biodiversity
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for protecting and enhancing biodiversity during the interview. Share specific examples of projects or initiatives you've been involved in that align with the council's goals, showing that you genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Data Handling Skills are Key
Prepare to talk about your experience with data handling, mapping, and analysis. If you've used GIS software like QGIS, be ready to provide examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles or projects.
✨Engage with the Community
Highlight any experience you have in community engagement or outreach. Discuss how you would communicate ecological information to various audiences, including the general public, and your willingness to work collaboratively with local stakeholders.
