Join to apply for the Principal Ecologist role at Hoople Group
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £40,778- £45,092
Hours: 37
Location: Hereford
Closing Date: 30/10/2025
Overview
Herefordshire Council are seeking a passionate and inspiring Principal Ecologist.
What will you be doing?
Joining a multi-award winning team, including The LGC Environment 2024 and RTPI Excellence Award in 2024, you would act as a principal adviser primarily in relation to ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain matters. Your main duties would include:
* Leading a team of technical officers to promote ecological conservation, enhancement and proper management of the wider natural environment across council-owned estates and the county as a whole.
* Acting as a principal adviser in relation to Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain, providing technical advice both internally and externally.
* Providing technical advice to both Planning and the Nutrient Mitigation lead on ecological matters.
* Providing conservation advice and the development of best practice in relation to these matters.
* Working collaboratively with other teams across the council to address the council’s declared Climate and Ecological Emergency.
* Deputising for the Natural Environmental Team Leader in respect of natural environment matters as required.
About You
As Principal Ecologist, you will have:
* Detailed knowledge and experience of applying UK and EU wildlife regulation and ecological best practice, supported by a working knowledge of planning policy.
* Experience of providing technical advice for Ecology and Habitats Regulations Assessment in relation to major and/or complex planning applications.
* Act as the lead technical adviser for Ecology, coaching and mentoring the team on technical issues.
* Ability to manage a team of ecologists and to promote the professional development of staff.
* To liaise with colleagues in planning, the wider authority and external bodies including local nature partnerships as well as key stakeholders including Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Herefordshire Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and committed to minimising environmental impact and aspiring to carbon neutrality by 2030. The scope of this declaration has broadened to encompass an ecological emergency, providing opportunities to lead new initiatives across the council and wider county through work with local nature partnerships.
We Offer
A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
* Salary range of £40,698 - £45,004
* Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
* Career progression: clear pathways to progress
* Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays; you can purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
* Flexible working: including potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working
* Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
* Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
* Perks: access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits
Why Choose Us?
Herefordshire is big-hearted, welcoming and friendly, with strong communities and idyllic countryside in the South West Midlands. We value partnership working and are a member of the Marches Forward Partnership, a cross-border collaboration across Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys and Shropshire to secure funding for the region.
Our four council plan priorities are:
* People: enable residents to realise their potential, be healthy and part of great communities; ensure children have the best start in life.
* Place: protect and enhance our environment and ensure Herefordshire is a great place to live; support housing in the right place and access to green spaces; restore rivers.
* Growth: create conditions for sustainable growth, attract investment, build business confidence, create jobs, enable housing development and provide infrastructure.
* Transformation: be an efficient council that embraces best practice, delivers innovation through technology and demonstrates value for money.
If you don’t meet every part of the job description, Herefordshire Council is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment and can provide supportive opportunities to help you develop.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: hr@example.com.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to use their voices to embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups that offer support and community. For more information, please view our recruitment site: www.spiritofherefordshire.com.
How To Apply
To apply, upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities. For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact: Richard Vaughan, Head of Environment, hr@example.com. Include reference to the job description and person specification. If shortlisted, Hoople Resourcing will contact you by email to arrange interview and/or assessment. Please monitor your email (and spam/junk folder).
About Us
Not Specified
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Part-time
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