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- Tasks: Provide expert ecology advice and ensure natural environment considerations in planning applications.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to enhancing Hertfordshire's natural environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a unique team tackling climate change and biodiversity challenges head-on.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or related field and relevant experience in ecological roles.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 34434 - 37280 £ per year.
Job Reference: HCC/1724/623
Starting Salary: £34,434 progressing to £37,280 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage Campus, Hertfordshire
About the team
If you are a passionate ecologist and care about saving the environment, then we need you! This is a really exciting opportunity to progress your career in Ecology in a truly unique team at a pivotal moment with Biodiversity Net Gain, Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Sustainability, Climate Change and Placemaking at the heart of the growth agenda in Local Government. This is also an opportunity to express yourself as an ecologist, unhindered by external pressures.
The role will help to ensure that the natural environment lies at the heart of these core objectives as you respond to planning applications on individual developments, contribute to strategic long-term plans for the county and help shape the long-term future for the natural environment in Hertfordshire.
The role is a highly sought after position, which comes with a high level of respect, influence and responsibility. Your remit will be to provide dedicated, expert ecology advice, focused exclusively on the needs to the natural environment. You will have the opportunity to ensure applications and developers comply with your advice through practical on-site visits.
Your work will help us:
- Enhance buildings and infrastructure in planning, making new developments more nature-friendly and improving existing buildings and surfaces;
- Help halt and reverse fragmentation of habitat in the built environment in order to better connect urban areas to rural areas;
- Enhance urban habitats through utilising nature-based solutions to provide wider environmental benefits.
You will also be a part of a truly uniquely dedicated cross-sector team (LEADS Landscape, Ecology, Archaeology and Design Sustainability) of environment specialists, giving you the opportunity to learn new skills, observe shared problems and find common solutions. This approach takes local authority environmental work in a new and exciting direction in order to meet 21st century priorities and challenges and as such has already received many plaudits. Through working with other teams across the council, you can help make our natural environment more resilient, help nature recover and improve the lives of residents through making Hertfordshire a greener and healthier place to live.
About the role
The main purpose of the role is to:
- Provide high quality information and advice to the County Council and Hertfordshire Local Planning Authorities and developers as part of a family of ecologists. Ensuring that the natural environment is a key consideration when applications for planning permissions are considered.
- Ensure site surveys and appropriate protection, enhancement, mitigation and biodiversity net gain are properly undertaken, to your satisfaction.
- Recommend approval of schemes when they meet recommended criteria and objections when they do not. Contribute to strategic plans, local plans and masterplans looking at ecology on a broader landscape view.
- Undertake site visits to ensure compliance.
Our objective is to halt and reverse fragmentation of habitat in the built environment in order to better connect urban areas to rural areas. The work involves the critical interpretation and assessment of ecological reports and records. You would be a person who thrives in an information rich environment combining an eye for detail with an ability to prioritise and make critical assessments of likely ecological impacts. You will enjoy tackling complex problems in a methodical manner using your own initiative but will also be able to showcase your ability to work positively within a team. The work requires a degree of flexibility and pragmatism in dealing with multiple planning authorities and a wide range of planning and development scenarios. The post would suit a well organised and solution focused individual.
You will have a good working understanding of current biodiversity and ecology legislation and initiatives and be committed to ensuring that the benefits and importance of the natural environment form part of Hertfordshire's planning and placemaking. You will be given the opportunity to have a platform that allows you to communicate the values of the natural environment to planners, elected officials, developers and the public, and the challenges of ensuring this message is delivered, acknowledged and embraced.
About you
Essential:
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in ecology, environmental science, or a related natural science discipline.
- Relevant professional experience within local government ecology, ecological consultancy, or a comparable applied ecological role.
- Good understanding of the planning system, including the role of ecological advice in development management.
- Working knowledge of UK protected species legislation, with the ability to apply this to influence decision making by providing appropriate ecological advice.
- Demonstrable experience of biodiversity net gain (BNG), including the ability to review and interpret the statutory metric and understand how BNG is secured and delivered through the planning process.
- Experience of advising on ecological mitigation, compensation, and enhancement measures, including securing outcomes through planning conditions.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role. This job role is Level 9.
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Additional information
Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding: This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving required: You'll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency: The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Ecology Adviser in Watford employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ecology Adviser in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with fellow ecologists, attend local events, and join online forums. The more people you know in the field, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for ecology! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share your experiences and ideas on biodiversity and sustainability – it’ll make you memorable!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in ecology and local government initiatives. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to projects like Biodiversity Net Gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. Knowledge is power!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to enhance the natural environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Ecology Adviser in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Ecology Adviser role. Highlight your relevant experience in ecology, environmental science, and any specific projects that showcase your skills in biodiversity net gain and ecological advice.
Showcase Your Passion: In your application, let us see your passion for ecology and the environment. Share examples of how you've contributed to sustainability or conservation efforts, as this will resonate with our team's values.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your covering paragraph, be clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements, making it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Ecology Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK protected species legislation and biodiversity net gain. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to real-world scenarios, especially in relation to planning applications.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to provide expert ecological advice. Highlight any successful projects where you influenced decision-making or improved ecological outcomes.
✨Understand the Planning System
Familiarise yourself with the local planning system and how ecological advice fits into it. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach advising on planning permissions and ensuring compliance with ecological standards.
✨Be a Team Player
This role involves working closely with a cross-sector team. Think about how you can contribute positively to a collaborative environment and be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams before.