Overview

Our vision is that the nation’s forests will provide the most valuable places for wildlife to thrive and expand in England. The Biodiversity Ecologist will play a key role in the delivery of that vision by inspiring others to support our work for nature. A key responsibility of the job is the maintenance and enhancement of SSSI condition through the creation and implementation of management plans. The postholder will also focus on the conservation of important protected habitats and species through Defra funded projects. The role will provide ecological advice to ensure species, habitats and designated sites are managed in accordance with wildlife legislation, policy and best practice guidance when implementing these projects. The postholder will also assist in the restoration of ancient woodland and connectivity across the District through supporting operational teams.

Contract type – Fixed Term Appointment until end of March 2029, with the possibility of extension or permanency

Location –The post can be based at our Bellingham office, Hexham, Northumberland, or Grizedale, Cumbria with blended working opportunities.

Essential qualifications and technical experience:

  • Ecology or environmental degree, or equivalent professional experience in nature-focused land management
  • Experience in writing management plans, in particular for designated sites such as SSSIs
  • Good wildlife identification skills, especially for protected species
  • Able to design and deliver robust survey and monitoring programmes
  • Experience or an understanding of forestry and woodland management
  • An effective communicator, both written and spoken
  • Able to manage a complex workload, effectively prioritising and meeting deadlines
  • Up-to-date knowledge of environmental legislation, particularly biodiversity, and experience of its application to land management
  • Experience balancing ecological requirements with commercial and social objectives
  • Excellent team and partnership working, with a track record of interdisciplinary working
  • Experience working with local stakeholder groups, including landowners; non-governmental organisations; charities; and local government
  • Able to analyse data and evaluate evidence to produce succinct reports
  • Competent IT user with experience in MS Office suite of applications
  • Lead the Area Ecologist team, supporting effective and efficient delivery through a culture of teamwork and mutual support and collaboration
  • A track record of successfully developing, managing and coordinating land management or nature recovery projects
  • Experience managing and prioritising workloads, meeting deadlines and solving problems, and managing budgets
  • Practical experience of a range of land management interventions
  • Experience of procurement and contract management
  • A great team worker, adept at working under your own initiative and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, taking ownership of the responsibilities of the role, building collaborative working relationships with colleagues and being adaptable in the face of changing situations
  • An excellent communicator, both written and verbally, able to adapt to a range of audiences
  • Competent using information tech
  • A full and current driving licence that enables you to drive in the UK

Desirable qualifications and technical experience:

  • Ecological knowledge and understanding the key ecosystems and species present in the district
  • European protected species licences
  • A member of a relevant professional body, e.g. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Institute of Chartered Foresters
  • Experience or understanding of the UK forestry sector, the UK Forestry Standard and UKWAS certification
  • Experience of citizen science projects
  • Experience of managing small nature recovery projects
  • Good knowledge of biodiversity net gain and/or experience of the planning system
  • An understanding of natural capital and how it supports making land management decisions
  • Strong ecological knowledge and understanding of the key ecosystems found in the district
  • Knowledge and/or experience of working with livestock and/or graziers
  • Working knowledge of environmental legislation and designations, including their practical application
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