Overview

Are you passionate about nature recovery and biodiversity? This is your opportunity to make a real impact, protecting and enhancing biodiversity while working within our dynamic Development Management team.

We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, qualified Ecologist to join our Planning Service. You’ll help safeguard and enhance one of the most ecologically diverse districts in the country, which is home to nationally, European and internationally designated habitats and protected species.  At Stroud District Council we are proud of our progressive approach to climate action, biodiversity recovery and sustainable development, and we’re looking for an Ecologist who wants to be part of that journey.

This is a great opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable development across our beautiful district. You will help ensure that developmental growth is balanced with our nature recovery programme and values. You’ll join a supportive and knowledgeable team, influencing policy, shape development outcomes and deliver meaningful biodiversity gains across the district.

You will have a good knowledge of biodiversity legislation, policy, mitigation and enhancements to provide expert advice to colleagues, applicants and the general public on a wide range of planning applications and pre-application enquires, ensuring the Council meets its statutory requirements. You will also aid the appeals team on biodiversity issues.

Key aspects of the role include:

  • To advise colleagues, applicants/agents, Councillors and the wider general public on a wide range of biodiversity issues
  • To assist the Senior Ecologist with providing written comments on planning and other applications regarding biodiversity matters, including BNG, drafting planning conditions, S106 and refusal reasons where necessary
  • To provide comments and recommendations as a consultee on planning applications based on the mitigation hierarchy and where possible support the enhancement of the quality of biodiversity within new development
  • To assist and support the Senior Ecologist and work alongside the Biodiversity Net Gain Officer to implement biodiversity net gain for development

About You

We are looking for a skilled ecologist who has:

  • Knowledge and understanding of all aspects of biodiversity and relevant legislation in the planning context
  • Understanding of biodiversity net gain
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Committed to providing excellent customer service
  • Ability to prioritise work, act on own initiative and meet tight deadlines
  • A can-do helpful attitude
  • Ability to manage own time and work under own initiative

For an informal discussion, please contact John Chaplin on john.chaplin@stroud.gov.uk

Apply for job