Principal Ecological Consultant
Permanent, Full Time
£46,890 to £55,164 per annum
Location: Essex
Working Style:
Closing Date: 1st March 2026
Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda – one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We’re immensely proud of our flexible working options.
The Opportunity
Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council providing environmental and planning services to the Council, local authorities and other public bodies. Our purpose is to support the public sector to deliver sustainable development. The purpose of the Principal Ecological Consultant is to co-lead the provision of ecological services to clients across the UK alongside our two existing Principals.
The Principal Ecological Consultant will oversee the delivery and development of ecological services, including specialist planning advice; ecological assessments; habitat/species management and habitat creation; habitat and protected species surveys; and multi-disciplinary projects.
The role requires a qualified, authoritative subject matter expert with advanced technical skills, knowledge and experience, including legislation, policy, standards and guidance; accomplished client relationship, information management, and communication skills; and a collaborative, enterprising, client focused approach.
Accountabilities
1. Responsible for effective commercial and operational delivery of ecological and countryside management services including: managing a demanding caseload of the most complex and controversial development management consultations at all stages of the planning /consent process; evaluating and carrying out ecological assessments (HRA, PEAR, EcIA); advising on large scale and complex habitat/species management and habitat creation; designing and undertaking habitat and protected species surveys of all sizes and complexity, including new tools and techniques; and complex specialists tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects.
2. Collecting, analysing, and presenting complex data, evidence (including for enforcement) and advice to recognised standards, reviewing outcomes, and assessing third party compliance.
3. Leading the development and review of complex, plans, policies and guidance.
4. Responsible for commercial development of our ecology offer, bidding on high value opportunities, and managing high value projects and contracts against budget, specification and indicators.
5. Building a professional, client-focused culture, and high-level client relationships, maintaining commercial awareness of our industry, key markets and sectors, managing accounts and securing feedback for continuous improvement.
6. Leading the development and delivery of promotional and learning material, training activities and events, engaging with networks to enhance the recognition and reputation of Place Services.
7. Building a collaborative, high-performance culture, leading effective team working and improving team and personal competency, continually seeking to enhance performance and practice of self and others, securing feedback, and building knowledge and skills.
8. Identify and implement improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery.
9. Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
10. Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor’s degree) with evidence of substantial post qualification experience.
11. Strong evidence of continuing professional development and Full Membership of the CIEEM.
12. Authoritative technical and subject matter expert, with comprehensive knowledge and experience of: development management and planning policy, legislation, and enforcement standards and guidance; assessment (PEAR, HRA, EcIA); habitat/species management and habitat creation; habitat and protected species identification and survey; and related office and site-based practices and procedures.
13. Effective team management and people skills with experience of employee performance and development.
14. Strong understanding of wellbeing and H&S, with ability to identify and implement safe working practices for self and others.
15. Good understanding of commercial practices, with accomplished negotiation and communication skills and a track record of business development, including bid winning and the ability to inform, influence and persuade, building client relationships and managing high value accounts.
16. Able to lead specialist and multi-disciplinary project teams and manage multiple, and large scale and complex, projects from concept through to completion.
17. Advanced use of a range of common and specialist software packages. GIS and/or other ICT tools, to implement complex data capture, management and presentation, and carry out high level analysis and interpretation.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about ) on our careers site
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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