As a Natural Environment Officer (Ecology), your role involves providing specialist advice on natural environment issues, with a technical specialism in ecology. This will be principally in support of our Development Management Team, providing feedback on submissions in support of planning applications, including biodiversity net gain. Additionally, you may be asked to contribute to the specialist monitoring, research and statistical activities to support the Planning Service. Our benefits You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council. What will you be doing? The role involves offering timely written advice on ecology and the natural environment to support our development management team, our policy planners and other Council services. You’ll be a subject expert in your field and will be able to assist in the preparation of advice for meetings, site visits, and committees. As a proactive individual and excellent communicator, you’ll be able to balance enhancing our ecological and natural environment with the need to support growth, sustainability, and energy efficiency in West Northants. Our Specialist Services function is made up of teams dedicated to the natural environment, historic environment and design so you will be part of an exciting peer group helping shape the future of West Northamptonshire. About you You will bring with you experience in the technical specialism in ecology. With your in-depth knowledge of environmental legislation, best practice and statutory procedures, you’ll be able to offer comprehensive guidance and support to colleagues and customers to ensure best practice is followed. You’ll be dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for our ecology and the natural environment alongside enhancing new development and growth within West Northants. Your understanding of the Local Plan system, national and local planning policy will provide context for your expert guidance. You’ll have the relevant qualifications required and be a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or working towards your Assessment of Professional Competence. Experience with DEF, MasterGov or other planning related systems and mapping software would be helpful but not essential. About us At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people. Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. Hear more from our Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw, about what its like to work at West Northants Council. We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us. If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support. West Northants Council, where careers thrive.