Ecology Officer

Walsall Council is seeking an Ecology Officer to enhance ecological areas and support nature recovery initiatives. The role involves survey work, policy formulation, and assessing planning proposals for environmental impact. Candidates should have a relevant degree in ecology and strong communication skills. The position offers flexible working arrangements, a salary range of £39,513 to £44,711, and various employee benefits, but is based in Whitby, United Kingdom.
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 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.

Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That's why - as well as a satisfying and rewarding job - we offer a range of attractive benefits. Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development.

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