Assistant Ecological Consultant

Permanent, Full Time

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 7th February 2025 at 11.59pm

This role will be filled on a hybrid basis. This means you can work remotely part of the working week, with an expectation to attend the office at least 1 day per week. Any journeys to the office would be at your own expense. More specific details about this can be discussed at the interview stage should you be invited to interview. 

The Opportunity 

Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council (ECC) providing environmental and planning services to the Council, local authorities, and other public bodies. Our purpose is to support the public sector to deliver its role in sustainable development. The purpose of the Assistant Ecological Consultant is to support the effective delivery of ecology services to our clients across Essex and England. 

The Assistant Ecological Consultant will support the ecology team on ecological matters, including assisting with: the provision of development management and policy advice to local authorities; evaluating and carrying out ecological assessments; advising on habitat/species management projects and habitat creation; completing straightforward habitat and protected species surveys, and undertaking supervised specialist tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects. 

The role requires a specialist with: graduate level technical knowledge and understanding of ecological issues, and relevant legislation, policy, standards, and guidance; the ability to communicate to a range of audiences; and an awareness of good client service. 

Accountabilities 

• Supports the effective delivery of a range of ecology services under supervision including: assisting with a case load of straight forward and minor development management and consent consultations at all stages of the planning/consent process (pre-application, application and post consent); assisting with the evaluation of, and carrying out, ecological assessments (EcIA, HRA, PEAR) of limited scope and complexity; advising on small-scale and simple habitat/species management project, or habitat creation techniques; undertaking straight forward habitat and protected/priority species surveys, including data capture, analysis and presentation; and completing supervised tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects.
• Supports effective working relationships with clients, helping to secure feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and assisting in the maintenance of a client-focused culture across Place Services.
• Responsible for enhancing the recognition and reputation of Place Services by supporting promotional events and activities, and by engaging with internal and external networks under supervision.
• Support the review and development of legislation, plans, policy, and standards, and assisting with the collection, presentation and preservation of evidence, and preparation of casework documents (including for planning appeals and enforcement) to recognised standards.
• Support the development and delivery of training activities and events, helping to prepare learning materials.
• Support changes to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the technical delivery of ecological services.
• Contributes to tendering processes for low-value opportunities; management of low-value projects and contracts; and supervision of contractors and volunteers, against approved budgets, specifications, and indicators.
• Contributes to the execution of ECC and client’s responsibilities and duties of care in relation to protected and priority species and habitats, and the wider natural environment, through the provision of supervised technical support and assistance. 

The Experience You Will Bring 

• Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor’s degree) in a relevant subject, or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development with membership of, or working towards Qualifying Membership of, relevant professional body e.g.CIEEM.
• Graduate level technical and subject matter knowledge, including demonstrable awareness of: relevant development management processes; of planning policy, legislation, and enforcement, standards, and guidance; ecological assessments e.g., EcIA, HRA, PEAR, and evaluation; habitat/species management and habitat creation techniques; habitat and protected and priority species identification and survey techniques; and related office and site-based practices and procedures.
• Able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including working at pace, prioritising work across a range of projects and activities, meeting deadlines and successfully delivering outcomes, with supervision and support when necessary. Demonstrable understanding of systems and processes for effective project management, with experience desirable, and ability to support project delivery by undertaking supervised tasks.
• Demonstrable awareness of wellbeing and H&S, with ability to undertake simple risk assessments, and to implement safe working practices.
• Able to communicate appropriately with different audiences, including through the preparation, with supervision, of clear, concise, and factual written technical advice, documents and reports for straightforward casework and projects, and at public consultations.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships, with demonstrable awareness of good client service.
• Ability to use a range of common software packages, including all Microsoft applications, and, under supervision, to use relevant specialist software, such as GIS, to record and present a range of evidence and data, and to carry out straightforward research, analysis, and interpretation.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

To read more about us please visit: Economy, Investment and Public Health

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk