Ecology Specialist

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Ecology Officer to join our Biodiversity Team at Cambridgeshire County Council. As a key member of our team, you will play a vital role in helping us meet our biodiversity responsibilities and contribute to the conservation of our natural environment.

• Review and respond to planning applications to ensure the County Council meets its statutory duty for conserving and enhancing biodiversity.
• Advise on ecological aspects of planning applications and provide habitat management advice for nature reserves and other biodiversity sites.
• Support the delivery of the Council's biodiversity strategy and other policies, working collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners.
• Undertake ecology surveys and write reports to inform decision-making and conservation efforts.
• Provide in-house ecological advice and assist the team with delivery of the Council's Biodiversity Strategy, Tree & Woodland Strategy, and Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

• Confidence in assessing complex technical ecological information and providing habitat management advice.
• Understanding of ecological planning issues and ability to prioritize responses to planning applications.
• Experience in developing and implementing new policies and making informed, independent decisions with minimal supervision.
• Pro-active and able to show initiative in developing new ideas and managing workload effectively to meet strict deadlines.
• Computer literacy with experience in GIS systems and using databases.

• A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work.
• Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave through our salary sacrifice scheme.
• Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances.
• Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings.
• Access to development opportunities, apprenticeships, and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth.
• Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day.
• Access to Peer Support Groups through our IDEAL staff equality, diversity, and inclusion network.
• Opportunities to nominate and receive Employee Recognition Awards.
• An Our Cambs Rewards account, giving you access to in-store and online discounts as well as our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes.