Ecologist

Ecologist
County Hall, Norwich/Countywide
Full time, Temporary Contract until 31 March 2028
£32,061 – £33,699 per annum (Scale G)

The Environment Service has an exciting opportunity for an Ecologist to join our Ecology Team. Working with the Environment Service Specialist Advice group and reporting to our Lead Ecologist, this role will support the delivery of a wide range of strategic and infrastructure projects ensuring that the natural environment of Norfolk is safeguarded and enhanced through the planning system.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about biodiversity and would be suitable for early career ecologists or those wishing to gain practical experience of the planning system. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that the biodiversity potential of sites is preserved and enhanced providing a cost-effective, professional, in-house ecological advice service to ensure Norfolk County Council meets its obligations with regards to ecology and green infrastructure. The role will lead on biodiversity issues, providing advice to Development Management and Planning Policy Officers across a wide range of projects.

We are looking for a motivated individual who can effectively manage peaks in workload to provide timely input into planning decisions. You will ideally have a basic understanding of the English planning system, wildlife legislation and experience of undertaking ecological assessments and producing associated ecological reports. An ability to evaluate habitats to UK Habitats Classification level would be of benefit.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Writing or interpreting ecological reports for Town and Country Planning matters.
• Determining the appropriateness of ecological reports submitted with a planning application and if further information is required from the applicant.
• Decide if NCC projects require protected species surveys, and where appropriate, undertake them in accordance with legislation and national guidance.
• Identify and design appropriate ecological mitigation and compensation measures for NCC schemes including providing ecological advice on small and medium highways schemes to support Highways Officers.
• Supporting project delivery within the wider Environment Service e.g. delivery of Trails infrastructure, tree planting, site management.

You will ideally be a member of CIEEM (associate or higher) or able to apply for this.

Previous experience of this type of role will be of benefit but we are willing to consider candidates with suitable transferrable skills.

We are looking for someone with good communication skills at all levels, who will fit in well with our friendly team.

As a member of the Specialist Advice Team, you will join an enthusiastic and dynamic group comprising ecology, historic environment, landscape, PRoW and Tree & Woodland specialists. We are a friendly, enthusiastic, supportive and inclusive team that work flexibly throughout Norfolk.

For more information or an informal discussion regarding this post please contact Sam Demmen-Sewell, Lead Ecologist at: [email protected] or 01603 365827.

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

• Competitive salary.
• Generous holiday entitlement.
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service.
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as:
  • ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
  • A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
  • Relocation expenses (where applicable)
  • An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
  • Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions
  • Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
  • Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
  • A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job description and person specification to help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

Redeployment closing date: 23:59, 18 June 2026.
All other applicants closing date: 23:59, 28 June 2026.