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- Tasks: Join the Natural Environment Team to enhance biodiversity and conduct ecology surveys.
- Company: Surrey County Council, committed to protecting the natural environment.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension, extra leave options, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local wildlife and community wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or related field and relevant experience required.
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 work (a minimum of two days a week is encouraged) as well as travel to other offices and places within the County for meetings and ecology surveys. Some evening and early morning work will be required to carry out ecology surveys. 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. Because of the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation that will take place in April 2027, if you are employed by Surrey on 1 April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations.
Assessment
- 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?
Qualifications
- 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)
- Access to own vehicle and a clean driving licence
Benefits
- 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
Ecologist in Knaphill employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ecologist in Knaphill
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with fellow ecologists and professionals in the field. Attend local events, workshops, or even online webinars to meet people who can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best survey work and reports. This will not only highlight your experience but also demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to organisations like Surrey County Council directly, express your interest, and ask about potential opportunities. You never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application and showcase your passion for ecology. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Ecologist in Knaphill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Ecology: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for ecology shine through! We want to see how your love for the natural environment aligns with our mission at Surrey County Council.
Tailor Your Responses: Make sure to tailor your written responses to the specific questions in the assessment. We’re looking for clear examples that showcase your experience and understanding of the relationship between planning policy and wildlife legislation.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured reports and correspondence, so make sure your application reflects your excellent report writing skills!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and shows you’re serious about joining our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the latest biodiversity legislation and planning policies relevant to Surrey. Being able to discuss how these laws impact decision-making for developers and planning authorities will show your understanding of the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare a solid example of a time when you liaised with multiple stakeholders. Highlight how you ensured effective communication and collaboration, as this is crucial for working within the Natural Environment team and across various departments.
✨Demonstrate Your Survey Experience
Be ready to discuss at least three specific surveys you've conducted. Explain your methods, how they aligned with best practices, and the outcomes. This will showcase your hands-on experience and ability to apply ecological principles in real-world scenarios.
✨Align with SCC’s Ambitions
Think about how your work can contribute to Surrey County Council’s goals for nature recovery and biodiversity. Prepare to articulate your ideas on how you can support their initiatives, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also passionate about making a difference.