The posting
Contract to start ASAP
Duration: 12 weeks with a possible extension.
Senior Ecologist
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Contract: 12 Week Temporary Contract, ending 24 January 2027
Support Biodiversity, Planning and Environmental Protection Across Charnwood
We're recruiting an experienced Senior Ecologist to join Charnwood Borough Council, providing specialist ecological advice and supporting the Council's planning, biodiversity, and environmental responsibilities.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecology professional with a strong background in planning applications, biodiversity, protected species, habitat assessment, ecological legislation, and local authority or consultancy work.
You'll work closely with planning officers, developers, consultants, landowners, internal Council teams, and external organisations, ensuring ecological considerations are properly assessed and incorporated into development proposals and wider environmental projects.
About the Role
As a Senior Ecologist, you'll provide professional ecological advice across the Council, with a particular focus on planning and development management.
You'll review ecological reports and surveys, assess the potential environmental impact of development proposals, advise on mitigation and biodiversity enhancements, and help ensure the Council meets its statutory responsibilities relating to biodiversity and nature conservation.
What you'll be doing:
- Providing specialist ecological advice on planning applications, development proposals, and Council projects
- Reviewing ecological assessments, surveys, and reports submitted in support of planning applications
- Assessing the potential impact of proposed developments on protected species, habitats, designated sites, and biodiversity
- Providing clear professional recommendations to planning officers and other Council colleagues
- Advising on appropriate mitigation, compensation, and ecological enhancement measures
- Supporting the delivery and implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain requirements
- Reviewing Biodiversity Net Gain calculations, habitat assessments, and supporting documentation
- Providing advice on protected species, including bats, badgers, great crested newts, reptiles, birds, and other relevant species
- Assessing compliance with relevant wildlife and environmental legislation
- Advising on planning conditions and obligations relating to ecology, biodiversity, and habitat management
- Contributing to planning appeals, enforcement matters, and other development management activity where ecological expertise is required
- Undertaking or supporting ecological site visits where necessary
- Working with developers, ecological consultants, planning officers, and other stakeholders to resolve ecological issues
- Supporting the conservation and enhancement of priority habitats and species
- Providing professional input into Council policies, strategies, and plans relating to biodiversity and the natural environment
- Supporting Local Plan work and other strategic planning activity where ecological input is required
- Maintaining accurate records of ecological advice, assessments, and decisions
- Keeping up to date with changes in ecological legislation, planning policy, and professional guidance
- Promoting good ecological practice across Council services and development projects
- Managing competing priorities and caseloads while meeting planning and project deadlines
Requirements
We're looking for a highly experienced and professionally confident ecologist with strong technical knowledge and the ability to provide clear, evidence-based advice within a planning and local government environment.
You'll ideally have:
- A degree or equivalent qualification in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Biology, or a related discipline
- Significant professional experience working as an Ecologist
- Strong experience providing ecological advice on planning applications and development proposals
- Experience reviewing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, protected species surveys, and habitat assessments
- Strong knowledge of UK wildlife and environmental legislation
- Good understanding of the planning system and ecological requirements within development management
- Experience with Biodiversity Net Gain and the biodiversity metric
- Knowledge of habitat creation, restoration, enhancement, and management
- Strong knowledge of protected species and relevant licensing requirements
- Experience assessing ecological impacts and recommending appropriate mitigation measures
- Ability to interpret technical ecological reports and provide clear professional recommendations
- Experience working with planning officers, developers, consultants, and other stakeholders
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional ecological advice and reports
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage a busy caseload and competing deadlines
- Experience within a local authority, planning authority, ecological consultancy, or similar environment
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as CIEEM would be advantageous
- Ability to undertake site visits where required
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Ability to provide three years of references/work history
- Ability to complete a Criminal Convictions Declaration
- Ability to sign a Confidentiality Agreement
Why Apply
- Excellent Umbrella rate of £60.00 per hour
- Opportunity to work with Charnwood Borough Council
- Senior-level role providing specialist ecological advice
- Opportunity to influence planning and development decisions across the borough
- Work on a varied range of biodiversity, habitat, planning, and protected species matters
- Opportunity to apply specialist Biodiversity Net Gain knowledge
- Work alongside planning professionals, developers, consultants, and environmental specialists
- Gain further local authority ecology and planning experience
- High-value temporary assignment with full-time hours
Benefits
- Weekly Pay
- Company Pension
- Ongoing Agency Support
Additional Information
Client: Charnwood Borough Council
Location: Council Offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2TX
Start Date: 2 November 2026
Contract Duration: 12 weeks, ending 24 January 2027
Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: Umbrella: £60.00 per hour
Employment Type: Temporary
Number of Positions: 1
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract
Contract length: 12 weeks
Pay: £60.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
Application question(s):
- Do you have professional experience providing ecological advice on planning applications or development proposals?
- Do you have experience reviewing ecological assessments, protected species surveys, and habitat reports?
- Do you have practical knowledge and experience of Biodiversity Net Gain and the biodiversity metric?
- Do you have strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and protected species requirements?
- Have you previously worked within a local authority, planning authority, ecological consultancy, or similar environment?
- Are you able to undertake site visits in and around Charnwood/Loughborough where required?
- Please confirm your current location and whether you can reliably travel to Council Offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough, LE11 2TX.
Experience:
- Professional Ecology: 3 years (preferred)
- Planning / Development Management Ecology: 2 years (preferred)
- Biodiversity Net Gain: 1 year (preferred)
Education:
- Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Biology, or related discipline (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- CIEEM Membership (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Disclaimer: On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify iWork Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.
OR117995-10-26
