Ecology Officer

We’re recruiting an Ecology Officer to join our Environment and Waste team. You’ll play an important part in helping us protect and enhance the natural environment across Milton Keynes. Our team works closely with colleagues across planning, development and environmental services, contributing to how our city grows while safeguarding habitats and species.

At Milton Keynes City Council, we’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier places for everyone.

This rewarding role is ideal for someone with strong ecological knowledge who wants to shape development, influence environmental outcomes and support our long-term plans for nature recovery.

This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-Based roles require minimum of one day in the office/site per week.

Interview for this role will be held on 23 March

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Main Responsibility

• Provide expert ecological advice on planning applications at each stage of the process.
• Assess the impact of major developments and recommend practical solutions that protect biodiversity.
• Advise specifically on minerals, waste, infrastructure and school development proposals.
• Review biodiversity net gain assessments and work with planning and legal colleagues when needed.
• Support colleagues, partners and the public with clear guidance and help resolve complex enquiries.
• Work with local partners, including the Natural Environment Partnership and The Parks Trust, to support nature recovery strategies.

The Ideal Candidate

• Is educated to degree level in a natural or environmental science.
• Brings substantial experience of ecological planning or consultancy.
• Has strong knowledge of legislation and policy relating to habitats and species.
• Can complete and interpret biodiversity net gain assessments using a Defra-based metric.
• Works well with different people, builds positive relationships and handles competing demands.
• Shares our values by being dedicated, respectful and collaborative in everything they do.
• You’ll carry out site visits, which make up around ten per cent of your working hours.
• To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If you’re offered the position, we’ll ask for proof of your licence and vehicle insurance, including business use cover. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to confirm your appointment without these documents.

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.