At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ecological excellence and manage complex projects for sustainable development.
- Company: Join Essex County Council's dynamic Place Services consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, local government pension, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team culture with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Advanced ecological expertise and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 57095 - 57095 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
Salary up to £57,095 per annum + benefits and local gov pension
Location: Countywide
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 12th July 2026
Fantastic opportunity to lead, influence, and deliver ecological excellence at scale within a dynamic local authority. Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council, providing expert environmental and planning services to local authorities and other public sector clients. We play a key role in enabling sustainable development, combining technical excellence with commercial awareness to deliver meaningful outcomes for communities and the natural environment.
As a Principal Ecological Consultant, you will operate as an authoritative subject matter expert, co‑leading and shaping our ecology offer alongside two existing Principals. This is a senior role requiring advanced technical expertise, underpinned by substantial post‑qualification experience, strong professional accreditation (including Full Membership of CIEEM), and a deep understanding of relevant legislation, policy, standards and guidance.
You will take ownership of a diverse and challenging portfolio, leading on complex development management consultations and delivering high‑quality ecological assessments (PEAR, HRA, EcIA). Your expertise will extend across habitat and species management, habitat creation, and the design and delivery of protected species surveys – applying both established and innovative approaches to achieve effective, evidence‑based outcomes.
We are particularly interested in ecologists with expertise and experience in planning and development management, preferably from a Local Planning Authority point of view. Working at the forefront of multidisciplinary projects, you will lead and coordinate specialist teams, managing large‑scale and complex projects from concept through to completion.
You will confidently analyse, interpret and present complex ecological data, using a range of tools including GIS, to inform robust decision‑making and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Alongside your technical leadership, you will bring strong commercial awareness, playing a key role in business development, bid‑winning and managing high‑value client relationships.
You will be an accomplished communicator, able to influence, negotiate and build trusted partnerships, while ensuring projects are delivered to budget, specification and performance expectations. You will also contribute to building a high‑performing and supportive team culture, leading, mentoring and developing colleagues while promoting wellbeing, health and safety, and continuous professional growth.
Through your leadership, you will help strengthen both the capability of the team and the ongoing success and reputation of Place Services.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Benefits:- Holiday entitlement of 27 days per annum (plus bank holidays), with the opportunity to buy additional annual leave
- Local Government Pension Scheme: essexpensionfund.co.uk
- Employee Wellbeing and counselling provision
- Volunteering leave
- Eye care vouchers
- Travel discounts and season ticket loans
- Retail and restaurant discounts and cashback on purchases
In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted onto the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) if your role requires a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Ecologist in Chelmsford
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Kirklees Metropolitan Council and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Ecologist in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Kirklees Metropolitan Council will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Principal Ecologist at Kirklees Metropolitan Council. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Kirklees Metropolitan Council, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Kirklees Metropolitan Council that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
