Ecologist

This is an exciting opportunity to join an influential ecology team, delivering and driving tangible, positive outcomes for nature across Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. If you are looking for the perfect mix of variety, field and office-based ecological work, for flexibility and security, and to make a real, positive difference to the environment, then take a look at our vacancy.....

About Middle Level Commissioners:

The Middle Level Commissioners (MLC) is an Internal Drainage Board (IDB) and has been proudly managing water levels across 701km2 of the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens since 1862, through their 193kms of rivers, embankments, a flood storage reservoir and pumping stations.

Some of the most productive agricultural land in the UK can be found in the Middle Level and the Internal Drainage Board (IDBs) watercourses are key to supporting this industry. The work of IDBs across the Middle Level to manage water levels also help to support and protect a huge range of critical infrastructure including roads, railways, power networks, industry, and settlements. However, the extensive network of watercourses and their margins are also often the only refuge for Fenland wildlife from this intensively farmed and developed landscape. These watercourses are home to a huge diversity of plants and animals, some of which are only found here in the fens in IDB channels, because of the way they have been managed for centuries.

Balancing the functions that IDB watercourses must deliver is complex, intricate and requires sensitive management and partnership working. However conserving and enhancing biodiversity is a top, statutory priority and we work hard to maximise the outcomes for our unique and valuable Fenland nature through all that we do. We also provide environmental and ecological consultancy and services to 26 other IDBs in the Middle Level area to help them to protect and enhance this vital nature network too.

IDBs are influential in their local areas and those wishing to work or develop in or around IDB catchments must apply for consent from the IDB, even if they do not require planning permission, or they have already been granted planning permission. This ensures that their works are compliant with a wide range of environmental laws and are delivered in harmony with the priorities, duties and objectives of the IDB. The Ecology Department at MLC is responsible for assessing and advising on these aspects of IDB consent applications, so there is much opportunity to drive positive outcomes for biodiversity.

Our management approaches and the consultancy we provide aims to promote a mosaic of habitats and create high-quality wildlife corridors through the landscape that support a wealth of terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals, including some of the UK’s most rare and protected species. Eels, fish, otters, water voles, great crested newts, invertebrates, reptiles and a wide variety of birds and plants all thrive in and around the watercourses of the Middle Level. Many IDB channels are County Wildlife Sites themselves, a testament to how supportive IDB activities are to maintaining thriving wildlife communities.

The Role:

The role of Ecologist at MLC provides an attractive mix of practical and office-based duties. The right candidate will need to draw upon their experience of undertaking ecological appraisals of consent/planning applications, protected species and habitat surveys, mitigation and enhancement design and have strong ecological report writing skills.

The Ecologist will work with the Ecology and Environment Services Manager to ensure that the MLC’s statutory environmental duties are met and exceeded, IDB ecological consultancy service packages are delivered, and to embed environmental and ecological best practice into all operations.

Responsibilities Include:

• Ecological survey and appraisal of non-routine and capital flood risk management works.
• Protected species surveys including water vole, otter, badger, bats, birds, GCN and reptiles.
• Contribute to, or produce, high-quality ecological reports including survey reports, management plans, EcIAs, HRAs and SSSI assents.
• Ensure compliance with and administer IDB Class Licences for badgers and water voles.
• Devise and undertake ecological toolbox talks and Ecological Clerk of Works responsibilities.
• Attend to a nationally important eel pass and collect eel biometrics and trend data.
• Practically participate in, and promote, the control of non-native species.
• Support the monitoring and maintenance of IDB-installed barn owl boxes.
• Ecological appraisal of consent (planning) applications, providing direction to applicants to ensure compliance and secure environmental enhancement.
• Support of WaterLife Recovery East’s water vole recovery and mink control project.
• Respond to enquiries from the public regarding environmental matters.
• Investigate reports of water pollution and liaise with the Environment Agency for resolution.
• Collate and submit data to Environmental Records Centres.
• Maintain and strengthen links to, and work with, local and national environmental organisations and stakeholders.
• Promote the environmental work, achievements and aspirations of the MLC and IDBs to outside organisations, government bodies and the general public.
• Write and submit relevant articles to be published in the industry publication, the ADA Gazette.
• Respond to national consultations on relevant environmental policy.
• Identify funding sources for environmental initiatives and apply for funding.
• Encourage an understanding and appreciation of the natural Fenland environment and the positive role that IDBs play in maintaining it.

Find out More....

There is so much more information available on our website so take a look.... Environment & Ecology – Middle Level