Ecologist (Ecological Clerk of Works)

Ref: HCC615312
Salary: £30,859 – £33,951 per annum
Location:
Three Minsters House, Winchester (Hybrid mix of remote and office-based working).
Closing date: 23 June 2024.

We are looking to recruit an Experienced Ecologist/Ecological Clerk of Works
(ECoW) to work within the
Ecology Team at Hampshire County Council. This post is an exciting opportunity to be at the
heart of protecting and enhancing Hampshire’s unique natural environment for its residents and
visitors.

The Role:

The Ecology Team is part of a large, integrated, multi-disciplinary team offering a range of
specialist environmental services to the County Council and other public authorities. We work
closely with County Highways and Property Services supporting the delivery of a range of
property and infrastructure projects across Hampshire and beyond by matching a commercial
sector approach to a public sector brief.

This role encompasses two main areas of work. For much of the year, particularly during the
survey season, you will be an essential part of the team delivering the overall ecological
survey programme. You will organise and undertake Extended Phase 1 and protected species
surveys, manage a range of smaller projects, work closely with senior colleagues on more
complex schemes, as well as undertaking office-based tasks including desk studies, writing
survey reports, map production, data analysis, providing feedback to clients.

At key times of year, and working closely with other colleagues, you will take the lead on
ensuring our construction projects are complying with agreed mitigation strategies and
ecological planning conditions by reviewing approved measures, ensuring any necessary permits,
assents, and licenses are in place, acting as the key contact for site staff, liaising with
contractors, and undertaking site supervision works.

You will therefore need to be a collaborative and reliable team member who can also work
independently and pro-actively. You’ll have excellent written and verbal communication skills
and be confident in the use of typical IT packages as well as GIS and bat analysis software.
You’ll have the ability to organise and prioritise your workload to meet deadlines and the
flexibility to work unsociable hours during the survey season.

You’ll have an appropriate degree or professional qualification, and extensive field survey
experience to be confident in your botanical and habitat identification. You’ll have experience
in a similar role that includes a substantial element of site supervision/ECoW work. You’ll be
a competent and experienced in a range of protected/notable species surveys including bats
(particularly for emergence/re-entry surveys and activity surveys), dormice, reptiles, breeding
birds, or great crested newts, and you will hold or be eligible to hold one or more protected
species survey licenses. Ideally you will be developing a speciality in a particular taxonomic
group.

A confident understanding, gained through experience, of broad ecological principles, applied
ecology, wildlife legislation, impact assessment and mitigation strategies is essential, and a
working knowledge of the planning process is desirable.

Our people are what make us a vibrant and well-respected organisation. With a strong track
record of delivering high quality services within the natural environment, you will be able to
contribute to our purpose of delivering great public value outcomes at the same time as
developing your own career. For more information about the work we do, please visit Shared
Expertise environment and planning vacanciesin.eu Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk).

What We Can Offer You:

Hampshire County Council offers training to develop your skills in ecology and the planning
system. You will enjoy the benefits, experience, and interest of working on a varied programme
with an experienced team of ecologists. This comes with the advantages of working within a
local authority environment, such as flexible working patterns, cross-disciplinary teamworking,
and a supportive environment focussed on your wellbeing and personal development.

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing
local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a
pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.

Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your
skills and offers a great work life balance. We invest in you through our internal development
programmes and training and offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

Hampshire is a beautiful place to live, with vibrant cities, miles of coastline and two
National Parks. If you enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll find world class walking, cycling,
sailing and much more. For more information, please go to: Living and Working in
Hampshire.

Additional Information:

Ecologist (Ecological Clerk of Works) – Job Description and Person
Specification.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Adam Egglesfield, Lead Ecologist (Projects) – [email protected]

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children,
young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this
commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this
commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied
which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the
population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less
favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief,
sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a
Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and
selection process is inclusive and accessible.