Biodiversity Officer

Job description

Passionate about protecting wildlife and shaping resilient ecosystems? Join our Biodiversity and Geomorphology team in the East Midlands Area. You’ll provide expert advice on species conservation and habitat enhancement, ensuring biodiversity is embedded within river maintenance and restoration projects.

Your work will help create healthier natural systems that withstand pressures like climate change, supporting objectives under the Water Framework Directive and the 25 Year Environment Plan. You’ll design and deliver protected species surveys, lead Biodiversity Net Gain initiatives, and work with natural processes to achieve measurable environmental improvements.

This role is as much about people as nature. You’ll engage colleagues and partners, building trusted networks to deliver outcomes that no one could achieve alone. From planning advice to influencing flood risk and water resource decisions, you’ll make sure ecological considerations are followed.

We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment. As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve and continue to develop diversity throughout our workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, or religion.

The team

You’ll join a friendly, inclusive team of biodiversity and geomorphology specialists who collaborate to protect and enhance river habitats. We work strategically with other Environment Agency teams and external partners to mitigate environmental impacts and deliver meaningful improvements.

Experience/skills required

We are seeking an experienced ecologist (MCIEEM) with strong survey skills for species such as badgers, bats, crayfish, otters, and water voles. You’ll review ecological appraisals, influence stakeholders, and identify opportunities for habitat restoration. Experience with riparian habitats and restoration is desirable; training on the Water Framework Directive can be provided.

You’ll hold a relevant degree, understand riparian ecosystems, and communicate complex legislation clearly to non-technical audiences. A proactive, self-starting approach is essential, along with creativity in finding biodiversity solutions. Strong influencing and partnership skills are key.

A full driving licence is required.

Contact and additional information

Hybrid working from home and our Nottingham office, with site visits across the East Midlands.

Flexible working patterns, including job share, are supported - please state your preferences in your application.

We offer generous benefits, including a strong pension, flexible working, and fully funded opportunities for professional development.

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises, having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and is an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment. Further information on incident response can be found within your candidate pack.

Face to face interviews will take place towards the end of January 2026.

Contact: Richard Bull on [email protected]