Senior Ecologist

Job Title: Interim Principal Ecologist

Contract Length: 12 Weeks

Location: Hereford

Salary: Up to £54 per hour

We are seeking an experienced Interim Principal Ecologist to lead and manage our ecological projects during a critical period of transition. This role offers the opportunity to work with a dynamic team of ecologists and environmental professionals, delivering high-quality ecological consultancy services while providing strategic oversight and expert guidance.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth delivery of ongoing projects, compliance with environmental regulations, and effective team leadership.

These include complex bespoke calculations supported by detailed and non-standard data submissions and usually require bespoke legal agreements to provide required certainty for the HRA process. Will usually involve complex and detailed discussions and negotiations at a senior level in Natural England and with applicants and specialist contractors employed by the applicants.

Nutrient Neutrality - includes but not limited to:

• Change of use of land/buildings (especially farm related) to generate NN, including calculations around changing surface water flows and sustainable drainage systems.
• Offsite nutrient neutrality solutions.
• Approving, legally securing and managing third-party phosphate credit schemes.
• Intensive agricultural developments - eg AD Plants, waste to heat/energy, poultry and livestock units, polytunnels.
• Major residential applications not utilising a standard foul water and sustainable drainage scheme.
• Other alternative NN schemes such as fertiliser production.

Other HRA – includes but not limited to:

• Air emission and deposition from agricultural developments and incineration.
• Significant recreational effects.
• Other significant water or air pollution such as waste water treatment works upgrades and integrated constructed wetlands.
• Drafting, proofing and publishing updated council guidance and FAQs.
• Specialist advice and processes in respect of Council’s own Nutrient Neutrality Schemes.
• Technical support making comments on large/major/strategic developments and on significant developments by the council.
• Representing Natural Environment Service/Ecology at Planning appeal hearings and co-ordinating/proofing written representations.
• Managing this charged for scheme, liaising and obtaining advice from Natural England’s Discretionary Advice Service.
• Providing specialist input in to drafting of reports.
• Checking final reports are technically and legally correct.
• Providing high level support to Development Management Team including advice on legal agreements and “significant” habitats and gains..
• Working to develop, approve and legally secure Habitat Banks in the county.
• Developing strategic approach to BNG
• Drafting, proofing and publishing updated council guidance and FAQs.

Job Type: Temporary

Contract length: 12 weeks

Pay: Up to £54.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37 per week

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday