Job Title: Planning Ecologist

Hours: 37

Salary: HC07 £32,061 – £36,363

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 28 June 2026, 11:59pm

Interview date: w/c 6 July 2026

The Role

Herefordshire Council is looking to appoint a Planning Ecologist to join our Natural Environment function team. This is a key professional role providing ecological advice across the planning system and wider council activity.

You will play an important part in protecting and enhancing Herefordshire’s biodiversity, supporting sustainable development, and helping to deliver the council’s ambitions around nature recovery networks and biodiversity net gain.

What will you be doing?

As a Planning Ecologist, you will provide robust, proportionate ecological advice to internal colleagues and external stakeholders, primarily as consultee to planning applications, ranging from major development to small householder applications.

Your work will include:

• Reviewing planning applications, including interpretation of wildlife and habitats legislation.
• The undertaking of Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA).
• Reviewing biodiversity net gain (BNG) proposals and biodiversity gain conditions.
• Assessing development proposal compliance with Nutrient Neutrality.
• Negotiating with applicants, agents, and consultees, working closely with Development Management Case Officers to agree appropriate mitigation and planning conditions.
• Providing ecological input to council nature policy development.
• Undertaking site visits and ecological surveys, including monitoring BNG sites.
• Supporting enforcement team relating to potential breaches of legislation/conditions.
• Representing the council at meetings, forums and public events, promoting biodiversity.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Planning, Environment, Highways, Parks and Legal Services, as well as with external partners including Natural England, the Environment Agency and local wildlife organisations.

You will have:

·         A degree (or equivalent) in ecology, nature conservation or a closely related discipline

·         Membership of, or active progression towards membership of, a relevant professional body such as CIEEM

·         Knowledge of wildlife legislation, ecological best practice and how these apply within the planning system

·         Experience of providing technical ecological advice, including Habitats Regulations Assessment and biodiversity net gain

·         Knowledge of ecological field survey techniques

·         The ability to interpret technical reports, legislation and policy and present clear, balanced advice to a range of audiences

·         Strong communication skills and confidence working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

·         The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team

A full driving licence and the ability to travel throughout the county and undertake site visits, including over rough terrain