Principal Ecologist

Position: Principal Ecologist
Location: South Downs Centre, Midhurst
Closing Date: 13 September 2026
Interview Date: 28 September 2026
Salary: £49,688 – £52,929
Hours: 37 hours per week
Type of post: Permanent

The South Downs National Park Authority is looking for an ecologist to join our Placemaking directorate.

This is a varied role with opportunities to work across the National Park, advising our Planning teams on major schemes and working with applicants to achieve the best outcomes for development and nature across the Park.

As a Responsible Body, we also take an active role in the creation of habitat banks and mitigation schemes and have ambitious goals to grow further. You would support colleagues with the creation of habitat banks and be involved in ongoing monitoring.

As a National Park, we work with a number of partners to deliver positive projects for nature – and you would have the opportunity to work across the entire Authority with colleagues, providing advice and shaping projects to achieve the best for nature and biodiversity.

The South Downs is a unique landscape to work within, and you would be joining an Authority filled with friendly and passionate colleagues working to deliver on our purposes.

If this sounds like something that interests you, this could be the next step for your career, and we look forward to hearing from you.

To apply: Please apply via the button shown to upload your CV and complete our application, referring to the person specification.

SDNPA is an inclusive organisation, and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, faith and religion, disability and age.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled applicants.

In all circumstances, the SDNPA appoints on merit based on evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post. Further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found on our website.

SDNPA enhanced benefits

• Flexible working – (this is available for the majority of our roles. However, some positions may require on-site presence and/or specific hours due to business needs)
• Local government pension scheme
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Heat Scheme (capped interest-free green home improvement loan, available on a first-come, first-served basis)
• Healthcare – includes cash plan, counselling and wellbeing discounts
• Access to Health and Wellbeing portal and webinars
• 28 days’ annual leave, increasing to 31 days, plus bank holidays
• Professional development support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car sharing
• Use of pool cars
• Regular staff events / activities, which support the SDNPA’s Purposes and Duty