At a Glance
- Tasks: Protect and enhance the natural environment while supporting sustainable growth in Milton Keynes.
- Company: Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to creating cleaner, safer communities.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, excellent pension, health cash plan, and discounts on travel and entertainment.
- Other info: Flexible home working options available after assessment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity and conservation while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or environmental management and Great Crested Newt survey licence required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – eligible employees can access low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card – employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
We’re recruiting a Countryside Officer (Great Crested Newt District Licensing) to join our Environment and Waste service at Milton Keynes City Council. In this rewarding role, you’ll help protect and enhance our natural environment while supporting sustainable growth across the city. You’ll provide ecological expertise to planning colleagues and partners, helping ensure development meets environmental responsibilities, particularly in relation to Great Crested Newts and biodiversity. You’ll also play a key role in delivering our Great Crested Newt District Licensing Scheme, working with developers, planners and ecological specialists. Your work will directly support the conservation of protected species and habitats while enabling responsible development across Milton Keynes. This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home‑based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site.
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide clear and accurate ecological advice to planning colleagues, helping them understand complex information so that decisions can be made confidently and responsibly.
- Act as the responsible officer for issuing Great Crested Newt licences on behalf of the Local Planning Authority.
- Promote the District Great Crested Newt Licensing Scheme to developers, planners and ecologists, working closely with NatureSpace.
- Help protect and manage our parks, woodlands, wildlife sites, public open spaces, nature reserves and farms so they can be enjoyed by everyone.
- Lead and support environmental management projects, ensuring they are planned, resourced and delivered effectively.
- Identify funding opportunities and develop collaborative partnerships that help us protect and enhance our natural environment.
Ideal Candidate:
- A degree in ecology or environmental management, and a Natural England Great Crested Newt Class Level One Survey Licence (CL08).
- Strong knowledge of the United Kingdom planning system, ecological impact assessments and biodiversity in planning.
- A clear understanding of protected species legislation, licensing and ecological policy.
- Practical experience of Great Crested Newt survey work using methods such as eDNA testing, bottle trapping, torching and netting.
- Experience of designing or delivering conservation management or mitigation strategies for Great Crested Newts.
- A full driving licence and the ability to travel for work.
- Experience in using mapping software such as QGIS or similar.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If we offer you the role, we’ll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence and vehicle insurance, including cover for business use. We’re unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received.
Countryside Officer employer: MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
Milton Keynes City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees. With generous holiday benefits, a robust pension scheme, and a range of family-friendly policies, we are committed to fostering employee growth and satisfaction. Join us in making a meaningful impact on our natural environment while enjoying unique perks such as a health cash plan and discounts through the Blue Light Card.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Countryside Officer
✨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 MILTON KEYNES 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 MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Countryside Officer
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 MILTON KEYNES 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. MILTON KEYNES 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 Countryside Officer at MILTON KEYNES 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 MILTON KEYNES 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 MILTON KEYNES 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 MILTON KEYNES 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.
