Assistant Ecology Advisor

Job Title: Assistant Ecology Advisor
Starting Salary: £31,536 progressing to £34,433 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37
Location: Countywide
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Growth & Environment

About the team

Are you passionate about protecting and enhancing the natural environment? Do you want to make a real difference to biodiversity and ecology in one of the UK’s most diverse counties? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Ecology Adviser to join our growing expert team of ecologists. You’ll be part of the LEADS team (Landscape, Ecology, Archaeology, Development & Sustainability), working collaboratively across environmental disciplines to ensure ecology is at the heart of planning decisions and growth across Hertfordshire.

This is an exciting time to join us, as we implement Biodiversity Net Gain and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy—transformative initiatives that are elevating the role of ecology in planning, placemaking and set against the backdrop of climate change. You’ll help shape the future of our county’s natural spaces, contributing to a legacy of sustainability, ecological resilience and climate mitigation. At the same time, as an Assistant Ecologist, you will be starting the first steps for a rewarding career in ecology, further enhancing your academic knowledge and applying it in a real life situations. You will be provided with training and guidance from our seniors as well as external opportunities on a range of topics such planning principles to botanical ID practice to site visits to Bats and Artificial Lighting courses and species identification.

About the role

• Supporting the interpretation and assessment of ecological reports, with guidance from senior colleagues.
• Ensuring planning decisions are informed by up-to-date biodiversity legislation, policy and guidance.
• Conducting site visits and ecological fieldwork to assess habitats and inform biodiversity net gain calculations.
• Liaising with planners, developers, landowners and conservation partners to provide ecological advice.
• Preparing reports and contributing to service-level agreements and policy development.
• Responding to public and stakeholder enquiries, helping to raise awareness and understanding of ecological issues.
• Championing sustainability and ecological best practice across the Council’s work.

About you

We’re seeking someone with a strong foundation in ecology or natural sciences, and a genuine passion for the natural world. Whether you’re a recent graduate or have relevant experience, we’re interested in your enthusiasm and commitment to ecological conservation.

Essential:

• A degree (or equivalent) in a natural science or relevant discipline, or equivalent work experience.
• Sound understanding of ecological principles and biodiversity.
• Ability to analyse ecological data and reports, and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn and collaborate with experienced team members.

Desirable:

• Vocational ecological qualifications or working towards protected species licences.
• Experience with biological recording and voluntary ecological networks.
• Familiarity with GIS and ecological databases.
• Understanding of key environmental stakeholders (e.g. Natural England, Environment Agency).
• Understanding and knowledge of the Biodiversity Net Gain

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Technical Services, level TEC8 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles: Technical services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact simon.richards1@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: TBC

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.