Ecology Officer – Ref: EE14124

Walsall Council is seeking an Ecology Officer to enhance ecological importance and support nature recovery initiatives. The role involves planning policy work, site assessments, and public consultations, requiring a degree in ecology and relevant experience. The position offers flexible working arrangements, including blended work from home and the office, with a salary range of £39,513 to £44,711. Applications are welcomed from diverse backgrounds.
Description

Ecology Officer – Ref: EE14124

Grade: G9; Salary Range: £39,513 – £44,711

Walsall Council has recently received an award as the most improved authority in the country, and we are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and appropriately qualified ecologist who is passionate about nature recovery to join us.

Walsall is proud of its past, present and future, and the borough has a rich history and a bright future. We are looking for an individual to help deliver that vision, with a particular emphasis on improving our environment through enhancing our areas of ecological importance for the benefit of our communities, and delivering on nature recovery, both at a local and regional level.

The post is within our Planning Policy Team within our Planning & Building Control Service area, and part of the work involved is in helping us to prepare the Walsall Borough Local Plan, as well as relevant planning guidance. This involves survey work and assisting in the assessment of sites, the procurement and appraisal of relevant evidence, policy formulation and helping us consult with the public and our other stakeholders. You will also be working corporately and regionally on helping to steer and deliver large scale nature recovery and regeneration projects.

You will also be involved in the planning decision-making process, in particular, in assessing proposals for their impact on nature conservation and by securing Biodiversity Net Gain, including through working constructively with the development industry, helping to develop our monitoring systems and providing your wider expertise to support good place-making and environmental enhancement more generally.

Good presentation and written communications skills as well as organisational and IT skills are important to this role. This role will suit you if you have either a local authority, voluntary sector or private consultancy background. You will need to have a relevant degree in ecology or a similar/related subject matter and be qualified, working towards or eligible for membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. You will also be expected to meet the government’s code of practice on the English Language fluency duty. The post is politically restricted.

This a Grade 9 post, with a current salary range of £39,513 to £44,711

We are committed to attracting and retaining the very best staff and utilising all the talent and experience available. We recognise the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements that enable them to balance their working life with other priorities. Walsall Council also supports employee learning and career development.

Benefits include:
• Flexible working hours
• Blended working from home/office
• Casual car user allowance
• Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave and flexi leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sectors of the community.

For further information and details of how to apply please call David Holloway, Planning Policy Manager on 01922 650874.

View: Job Description and Employee Specification

Closing Date: Friday 11th April 2025

Interview date: TBC

Please note, this is a re-advertisement and previous applicants need not apply.

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. See our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting Agency applications or referrals at this time.