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- Tasks: Join our team to protect biodiversity and conduct ecological surveys across Surrey.
- Company: Surrey County Council, committed to environmental sustainability and community impact.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in local ecology while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or related field, with relevant experience and strong report writing skills.
The predicted salary is between 41585 - 41585 £ per year.
The starting salary for this role is £41,585 per annum, working 36 hours per week. We are seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable Ecologist to join the Natural Environment Team at Surrey County Council. You will play an integral role within the Natural Environment team to help deliver the biodiversity duties of the Council. You will be expected to do some office working (a minimum of two days a week is encouraged) as well as travel to other offices and places within the County for meetings as well as ecology surveys. Some evening and early morning work will be required to carry out ecology surveys.
Our Offer to You
- 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years’ service and 31 days after 5 years’ service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About The Role
You will work closely with colleagues across the Natural Environment team and collaborate with a range of other departments, including Planning, Countryside Estates, Flooding, Highways, and Land and Property. On a day-to-day basis, the role involves reviewing and providing written consultation responses to planning applications, with a strong focus on compliance with ecological legislation and policy. You will also undertake specialist fieldwork relating to protected species, habitats and designated sites, and prepare technical reports and correspondence to support permitted development projects and planning applications across Surrey County Council. In addition, you will contribute to the delivery of the council’s biodiversity policies, such as Biodiversity Net Gain, and support collaborative and partnership-based working on strategic projects, including initiatives focused on highway verges. The projects delivered across the Council are wide-ranging and diverse, spanning natural flood alleviation and nature-based solutions, improvements to biodiversity along highway verges, and the assessment of council-owned land for Biodiversity Net Gain habitat banking and wider nature recovery initiatives. With ecology legislation and policy evolving rapidly, this role offers a valuable opportunity to ensure that the natural environment remains firmly embedded within decision‑making processes across the organisation.
Shortlisting Criteria
- Degree/HNC or equivalent in a relevant subject
- Graduate or Associate membership of CIEEM (or eligibility to apply immediately)
- At least 2-3 years relevant experience in a full time ecology role or environmental profession
- Good working knowledge and application of biodiversity legislation and planning policy in Surrey and England
- Experience with a wide range of surveys for protected species
- Excellent report writing skills with ability to adapt written style to suit different audiences / purposes
- Confident with assessing ecological impacts and applying the mitigation hierarchy
- Good IT skills including use of MS Office (Word, Excel, database management systems, PowerPoint)
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
- Describe your understanding of the relationship between planning policy and wildlife legislation and how it can impact decisions for both developers and planning authorities.
- Describe a time where you have had to liaise with multiple stakeholders on a piece of work and how you ensured good communication with all relevant parties.
- Please give three examples of survey work you have carried out, describing how your methods aligned with best practice and how the results affected the outcome for your project or client.
- How would you ensure your work in this role is contributing to the SCC's wider ambitions in relation to nature recovery and biodiversity?
It is a requirement for the applicant to have access to their own vehicle and a clean driving licence. Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 24/05/2026 with interviews to follow.
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Ann Bailey via email at ann.bailey@surreycc.gov.uk.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two‑tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Ecologist in Chobham employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ecologist in Chobham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow ecologists and professionals in the field. Attend local events or join online forums to connect with others who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of biodiversity legislation and planning policy. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role and how you can contribute to Surrey County Council's goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your fieldwork experience! Be prepared to share specific examples of surveys you've conducted and how they impacted projects. This will demonstrate your hands-on skills and understanding of ecological practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Surrey County Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Ecologist in Chobham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’ll help you understand what we’re looking for in an Ecologist and how you can tailor your application to match our needs.
Show Off Your Experience: When answering the questions, be sure to highlight your relevant experience. We want to see how your past work aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on those examples of surveys and stakeholder communication!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Make sure your written responses are easy to read and straight to the point. Use bullet points if it helps, and remember to adapt your style to suit different audiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for joining our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Ecology Legislation
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of biodiversity legislation and planning policy in Surrey and England. Being able to discuss how these laws impact decision-making will show that you're not just familiar with the theory, but you can apply it practically.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Questions
Since you'll be liaising with multiple stakeholders, think of specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated with different parties. Be ready to explain how you ensured everyone was on the same page and how that contributed to project success.
✨Showcase Your Survey Experience
You’ll need to demonstrate your experience with various surveys for protected species. Prepare three solid examples that highlight your methods, adherence to best practices, and the positive outcomes of your work. This will help you stand out as a candidate who delivers results.
✨Align with SCC's Biodiversity Goals
Think about how your work can contribute to Surrey County Council's wider ambitions for nature recovery and biodiversity. Be ready to discuss your ideas on how you can support these initiatives, showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely invested in making a difference.