Overview

Place Services are a leading provider of integrated environmental assessment, planning, design and management services throughout Essex and east of England. Our unique position as a traded unit of Essex County Council which integrates public, private and third sector has enabled us to develop a broad and diverse client base creating an innovative and challenging working environment where success is rewarded. Please see our website for further information about the team and the work we undertake – www.placeservices.co.uk.

The Role

The Principal Ecological Consultant role within Place Services represents an exciting position for the right candidate offering a unique opportunity to shape the growth of ecological services across both commercial and local government sectors as part of a new and rapidly expanding environmental practice. The well-respected and successful Place Services is at the cutting-edge of the transformation in local government service provision, considered an exemplar traded service in Eastern England.

Place Services’ roots are from the local authority sector, and you will need to balance the continued provision of high-quality ecological services to local councils within Essex whilst supporting the aims of our team to win and deliver new business with the private sector – both inside and outside the county.

Working as part of a truly multi-disciplinary team, you will be the ecological figurehead for Place Services driving the growth of development and planning services; whilst helping local authorities create innovative and cost-effective ways to protect and improve their natural environment, and continue to collaborate with its partners such as wildlife NGOs and government agencies like Natural England and the Environment Agency.

You should possess excellent organisational skills so as to ensure effective and profitable delivery of existing projects.  You will take delegated line management responsibility for the day to day operational management of the ecologists under the direction of the Natural Environment Manager.  You will be a role model within your specialism and your motivational skills will inspire the ecology team to deliver high quality outputs within agreed parameters.

Reporting to the Natural Environment Manager the key responsibility for this role is ensuring that the ecology specialism is a commercially viable unit. This exciting role will have the flexibility and freedom to develop the ecology offer and will be expected to expand the client base throughout Essex and beyond.

You will have a proven track-record of presenting at conferences and seminars; preparing tenders and proposals; and contributing towards business development.

You will also play an active role in delivery, managing key projects, undertaking quality assurance, writing and editing technical reports and providing expert advice relating to development management, planning policy, and ecological impact assessment. Coordinating and taking part in field survey work when necessary, and helping to develop and improve specialist survey skills and knowledge of colleagues.

The postholder will have personal responsibility for commercial accounts, ensuring contracts and projects are delivered on time, to budget, to specification, managing risks and ensuring appropriate resource is secured to deliver effectively.  You will develop relationships to win new work, deliver existing contracts and enhance customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Be the thought lead on all ecology matters and to have strategic account management role for ecology clients and cross disciplinary sector clients.
To develop new projects and new clients, having an active role in bidding on new business opportunities and proposals, this includes developing papers, seminars and training, including working closely with peers across disciplines.
Provide expert witness representation on behalf of a range of clients in planning appeals, public enquiries and court proceedings.
Devise and undertake ecological surveys, oversee/undertake the analysis of results of field surveys, and manage the production of reports, impact assessments, biodiversity strategies and management plans.
As the specialist lead you will actively keep updated within your specialism, coaching and developing consultants within your specialist discipline to deliver commercially astute services and assist in the creation of a positive team culture.
Establish, develop and maintain excellent working relationships with clients to help ensure successful business outcomes.
Assist the Natural Environment manager in promoting and managing partnerships and links with internal and external organisations to enhance co-operation and maximise funding and income opportunities, to ensure successful outcomes.
Identifying opportunities that deliver profitable services, and make suggestions to improve quality.
To contribute to development of organisational capability by taking ownership of your own training and development, including identifying and taking part in training and development activity and responding to feedback on performance.
Thinking creatively, challenging the norms, and constructively challenging those around them (including those more senior) to ensure continuous improvement and commercial astuteness, and inspire the same in colleagues.

Knowledge, skills and experience
About You

The successful candidate will demonstrate the below:

Educated to degree level with extensive post qualification experience or post graduate with considerable post qualification experience.
Full CIEEM membership and eligibility for Chartered Ecologist.
Expert knowledge of ecological assessment, wildlife legislation and planning policy and evidence of delivering positive outcomes within your previous employments.
Strong client account management and networking skills and evidence of effective and confident negotiation skills including public speaking at working groups, training events, seminars or conferences.
Able to prioritise work whilst maintaining focus on key projects or activities, within defined timescales.
Adaptable and flexible approach to differing project requirements
Previous experience in ecological consultancy
Experience in successful medium-large scale project management from inception to completion
Experienced in editing and producing EIAs, Preliminary ecological appraisals and EcIA
Experience of being an expert witness / being involved in public inquiries/ examinations in public
Essex County Council are proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all of our employees, including:

Local Government Pension Scheme (ECC will contribute 14.1% to your Pension Scheme)
A competitive salary and generous benefits package
A flexible approach to working hours, promoting a healthy work-life balance
A clear career path. Recognising your talent in the team. Encouraging committed individuals to grow with the opportunity for progression and promotion.
Generous leave, plus opportunity to purchase additional days
Interest free season ticket loans
Extensive discounts across supermarkets, travel companies, general retail & more
Childcare Vouchers
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.

Our aim is to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief. All applications will be considered solely on merit.