Principal Ecologist

About The Role
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £40,778- £45,092
Hours: 37
Location: Hereford
Closing Date: 30/10/2025

The Role
Herefordshire Council are seeking a passionate and inspiring Principal Ecologist.

What will you be doing?
Joining a multi-award winning team, including the LGC Environment 2024 and RTPI Excellence award in 2024 you would act as a principal advisor primarily in relation to Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain matters and your main duties would include:

• Leading team of technical officers to promote ecological conservation, enhancement and proper management of the wider natural environment, across both council owned estates and the county as a whole.
• To act as a principal adviser in relation to Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain, providing technical advice both internally and externally.
• Provision of technical advice to both Planning and the Nutrient Mitigation lead on Ecological matters.
• Providing conservation advice and the development of best practice in relation to these matters.
• Working collaboratively with other teams across the council to address the council's recently declared Climate and Ecological Emergency.
• Deputising for the Natural Environmental Team Leader in respect of natural environment matters as and when required.

About You
As Principal Ecologist, you will have:

• Detailed knowledge and experience of applying UK and EU wildlife regulation and ecological best practice, supported by a working knowledge of planning policy.
• Experience of providing technical advice for Ecology and Habitats Regulations Assessment in relation to major and/or complex planning applications.
• Act as the lead technical adviser for Ecology, coaching and mentoring the team on technical issues.
• Ability to manage a team of ecologists and to promote the professional development of staff.
• To liaise with colleagues in planning, the wider authority and external bodies including local nature partnerships as well as key stakeholders including Natural England and the Environment Agency.

The Natural Environment Team
In 2019 Herefordshire Council declared a climate emergency and committed to minimising our impact on the environment and aspiring to carbon neutrality by 2030. The scope of this declaration has now been broadened to encompass an ecological emergency, providing an exciting opportunity for the Natural Environment team to the lead the way in developing new initiatives across both the council and the wider county through our work with local nature partnerships.

We Offer
A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:

• Salary range of £40,698 - £45,004
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress
• Annual Leave: 31 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
• Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Pick your perks - our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

Why Choose Us?
Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly. We have strong and independent communities and idyllic countryside, situated in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales.

Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:

• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the "Disability Confident" scheme.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment which reflects the communities of Herefordshire.