At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert ecological advice and support sustainable development in West Northamptonshire.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on balancing nature conservation and economic growth.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to strategic planning initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity and environmental planning in your community.
- Qualifications: Degree in Ecology or related field; experience in ecology or environmental roles.
Location: West Northamptonshire (Hybrid Working Available)
Contract: Temporary – 3 Months
Hours: Full Time, Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Opportunity Overview
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Natural Environment Officer (Ecology) to provide specialist ecological advice and support planning and environmental functions across West Northamptonshire. This is an excellent opportunity for an ecology professional to play a key role in balancing nature conservation, biodiversity enhancement, sustainable development, and economic growth across a diverse and evolving area. Reporting to the Principal Natural Environment Officer (Ecology), you will provide expert ecological input into planning applications, policy development, environmental projects, and strategic place-shaping initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality ecological advice to Development Management and other planning-related services.
- Assess development proposals and recommend appropriate mitigation, enhancement and biodiversity measures.
- Support the preparation, review and implementation of Local Plans, Neighbourhood Plans and other planning policy documents.
- Undertake ecological monitoring, research, data analysis and evidence gathering activities.
- Prepare reports, technical advice and committee briefing notes relating to ecology and nature conservation matters.
- Attend meetings, site visits and stakeholder consultations as required.
- Provide technical advice to developers, agents, members, stakeholders and the public.
- Support sustainable growth by balancing ecological protection with development objectives.
- Contribute to development briefs and strategic planning projects.
- Assist with process improvement initiatives, systems reviews and service enhancements.
- Support training programmes, member briefings and professional development activities.
- Ensure compliance with relevant planning, environmental, data protection and health and safety legislation.
- Deliver excellent customer service and respond professionally to enquiries, complaints, FOI and EIR requests.
Essential Requirements
- Relevant undergraduate degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Geography or a related discipline.
- Experience working within an ecology, environmental or natural environment role.
- Strong knowledge of planning legislation and guidance.
- Up-to-date understanding of ecological and environmental legislation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical, research and report-writing abilities.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
- Experience presenting technical information to a variety of audiences.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
Desirable Requirements
- Relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Membership of CIEEM (or equivalent professional body), or demonstrable progress towards professional accreditation.
- Knowledge of Local Plan preparation and planning policy development.
- Experience of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), habitat assessments and protected species legislation.
- Project management experience.
- Experience using planning and GIS systems such as DEF MasterGov, QGIS, ERP Gold or equivalent.
- Experience working within a political environment and engaging with elected members.
Senior Natural Environment Officer (Ecology) in Northampton employer: Lynx Employment Services Ltd
As a Senior Natural Environment Officer (Ecology) in West Northamptonshire, you will join a forward-thinking team dedicated to balancing ecological integrity with sustainable development. Our hybrid working model promotes flexibility, while our commitment to professional growth ensures that you will have access to training and development opportunities that enhance your expertise in ecology and environmental planning. With a collaborative work culture that values innovation and community engagement, this role offers a meaningful chance to make a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
Contact Details:
Lynx Employment Services Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Natural Environment Officer (Ecology) in Northampton
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the ecology field! Attend local events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more folks you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of your past work that highlight your expertise in ecological advice and planning. We want to see how you can make a real impact in the role!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every job is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to the specific role. Research the company and its projects, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. This shows you’re genuinely interested and invested!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Natural Environment Officer (Ecology) in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Natural Environment Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in ecology and planning, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical and report-writing skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about ecology and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent communication is key for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear, concise language and structure your documents well. We want to see how you can present technical information effectively!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lynx Employment Services Ltd
✨Know Your Ecology Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your ecological knowledge, especially around biodiversity and conservation. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Understand Planning Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the relevant planning legislation and guidance. You might be asked how you would apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios, so think of a few examples where you've successfully navigated planning processes.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be providing technical advice to various stakeholders, practice explaining complex ecological concepts in simple terms. Prepare to share experiences where your communication skills made a difference in a project or consultation.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would balance ecological protection with development objectives and be ready to discuss your approach to stakeholder engagement.
