At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert ecological advice to enhance biodiversity in Southampton through planning.
- Company: Join the Natural Environment Team at Southampton City Council, dedicated to conservation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Fixed term role with excellent career development and community engagement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity while developing your ecological expertise.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or related field with substantial ecological experience required.
The predicted salary is between 47181 - 51357 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Fixed Term, Part Time, Planning Ecologist to join the Natural Environment Team within Environment and Sustainability.
About the team
The Natural Environment Team leads the City Council’s efforts to conserve and enhance biodiversity across Southampton and consists of ecologists, a volunteer coordinator and ranger team.
About the role
The Planning Ecologist will provide expert ecological advice through the planning system, helping to safeguard and enhance Southampton’s biodiversity across designated sites, protected species, priority habitats, Biodiversity Net Gain and nature recovery. You will lead on Biodiversity Net Gain compliance, support effective mitigation and enhancement measures, and advise on ecological policy, strategy and planning proposals including the Local Plan Review.
Responsibilities
- Providing specialist ecological advice on planning applications and development proposals, including potential impacts on designated sites, protected species and priority habitats.
- Acting as the Council’s lead advisor on mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, ensuring compliance and promoting best practice.
- Supporting the effective delivery of mitigation, compensation and biodiversity enhancement measures through the planning process and enforcement activity.
- Working closely with Planning Officers, developers, statutory bodies and external partners to achieve positive environmental outcomes.
- Contributing to the Local Plan Review, advising on ecological policy and providing evidence on biodiversity implications of development and regeneration strategies.
Qualifications
- A Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or a related subject.
- Substantial ecological experience, ideally within a planning or development management context.
- Strong knowledge of UK ecology, survey and mitigation methods, relevant legislation, and mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
- Ability to interpret technical information and provide clear, evidence-based advice that secures strong ecological outcomes.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and manage a varied workload in a busy local authority environment.
What we can offer you
- Salary: The salary band for this role is £47,181 - £51,357. The starting salary is £47,181 with annual progression through the salary bands.
- Benefits include:
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- Family-friendly policies – Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits – low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Interview Information
Interviews are scheduled for week commencing 20th July 2026.
Recruitment contact details
Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk
Tel: 023 8083 4033
Please note the salary quoted is based on full time hours (37 hours per week). The working hours for this role are 7.4 hours per day, 3 days per week. This is a fixed term position until 31/03/2028. Please note that appointments are usually made at the bottom of the salary scale.
Planning Ecologist in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Join the City Council's Natural Environment Team as a Planning Ecologist and contribute to the vital work of conserving and enhancing biodiversity in Southampton. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working options, and a supportive work culture, this role offers an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying generous benefits such as a robust pension scheme, health and wellbeing support, and opportunities for professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Ecologist in Southampton
✨Get Involved with Local Environmental Groups
Connect with local environmental groups and organisations that focus on sustainability and engineering. These communities often have job boards, networking events, and volunteer opportunities that can lead to part-time positions like the one we want to land together at Southampton City Council.
✨Showcase Your Passion Through Projects
Working on environmental projects, whether it’s personal or for a community initiative, can showcase your skills and passion. Consider creating a digital portfolio or blog that highlights your contributions and learnings in environmental engineering tech; it’s a great way to stand out when applying for that part-time role!
✨Visit University Career Fairs
If you’re still studying, make the most of career fairs at your university. Many firms, including Southampton City Council, actively scout for part-time interns there. It’s a golden opportunity to meet recruiters face-to-face and show them why you’re the right fit for their team right off the bat!
✨Leverage Online Platforms
Join online platforms that cater to environmental engineering jobs, like specialised job boards or forums. These channels help you not only find part-time gigs but also interact with professionals in the field. Plus, you can share your own insights and get noticed—just remember to direct them to your application on our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Ecologist in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:In the environmental engineering tech field, it’s super important to showcase your technical abilities. Make sure to include specific skills related to software and technologies relevant to this sector, like CAD programs or environmental modelling tools. This is especially key for a part-time role like Planning Ecologist at Southampton City Council, where practical skills can really set you apart!
Show Off Relevant Projects:Think about any hands-on projects or research you’ve done that showcase your problem-solving abilities in environmental engineering. Whether it’s a university project or a side gig, including a brief overview of these in your CV can grab attention. A part-time role means they might need you to hit the ground running, so demonstrating experience is a must.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for environmental issues and how they align with the mission of Southampton City Council. Be sure to express your desire to contribute part-time, highlighting your motivation and willingness to learn. Let’s face it, a genuine enthusiasm for the field can go a long way in making you stand out!
Include Your Availability:When applying for a part-time role, it’s super helpful to mention your availability directly in your application. Whether you're going for specific days or flexible hours, being clear upfront saves time for both you and Southampton City Council. It shows you're organised and ready to fit into their schedule effortlessly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Brush Up on Technical Know-How
Since you're diving into the world of environmental engineering tech, make sure you're comfortable discussing relevant software and tools, like AutoCAD or GIS. They might throw in some technical questions or case studies during the interview to gauge your knowledge, so it’s a great idea to familiarise yourself with these before your chat with Southampton City Council.
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
Part-time roles often get a lot of applicants, so make your passion for environmental issues stand out. Share any personal projects or volunteer work focused on sustainable practices, as it shows your dedication to the field and aligns with the values at Southampton City Council.
✨Flexibility is Key
Part-time roles can require a bit of juggling between studying and work. Be ready to talk about how you plan to balance your schedule if you get the job with Southampton City Council. Highlight your time management skills and steps you take to ensure you meet deadlines in both work and study.
✨Portfolio Perks
If you have any projects or portfolio work, be sure to bring it along! Even if your experience is limited, showcasing coursework related to environmental engineering tech or internships can really give you an edge. It’s a practical way to demonstrate your skills and creativity, so lean on that visual evidence during the interview.
