Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist | 9679 | Permanent Contract | 37 hours per week | £37,280 to £39,152 per annum (Scale I) | County Hall, Norwich / Countywide / Hybrid

Do you want a role in protecting some of the best natural environment in the country?

Norfolk County Council’s (NCC) Environment Service have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Ecologist. You will play a key role in delivering positive action to manage and increase Biodiversity and Natural Capital in Norfolk, providing advice and support to Norfolk County Council (NCC) and our partners. Reporting to our Lead Ecologist and in collaboration with wider teams within our Environment Service, you will deliver support for a wide range of infrastructure projects ensuring that the natural environment of Norfolk is safeguarded and enhanced through the planning system.

Alongside this you will support colleagues in the delivery of high quality and equitable access to Norfolk’s green spaces while reducing the impact of visitors. Working together you will help to design mitigation and alternative approaches to access and support the delivery of Green Infrastructure (GI) strategy.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced, self-motivated professional aspiring to play a central role in our Specialist Advice team. The role requires knowledge and experience in biodiversity and green infrastructure planning, biodiversity net gain, ecosystem services and natural capital, especially in relation to land-use planning in the UK. You will be required to maintain strong working relationships across project partners and external stakeholders, ensuring projects are delivered on time.

The role is varied with opportunities to be involved in a wide range of project delivery alongside supporting the Planning system.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Delivery of expert advice and support for Ecology, Biodiversity and GI through the planning process embedding a Net Gain approach.
• Planning, delivery and management of Environmental Impact Assessment, the design and implementation of successful mitigation and compensation strategies for biodiversity, including approaches for delivering green infrastructure and Net Gain.
• To support the delivery of key policies and strategies, including the Environment Act, Environmental Improvement Plan and NCC Environment Policy and Climate Strategy.
• Working closely with Environment Service colleagues to support delivery of key aims and projects such as Coastal Access, National Trail, Norfolk Trails, 1 million trees for Norfolk, Active Travel, Great Crested Newt District Level Licensing, Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Local Cycling and Walking Improvement Plan and Pollinator Action Plan.      

Experience of working across multiple projects simultaneously is essential, as is a flexible approach to collaborative working with a calm and positive approach to problem-solving. You will have a relevant degree or experience, a thorough understanding of the planning system and environmental legislation. You will have strong influencing skills and a focussed delivery of the priorities for the Environment Service.

As a member of the Specialist Advice Team, you will join an enthusiastic and dynamic group comprising ecology, historic environment, landscape, PRoW and Tree & Woodland specialists. We are a friendly, enthusiastic, supportive and inclusive team that work flexibly throughout Norfolk.

This role offers hybrid working and a relocation package.

For more information or an informal discussion regarding this post please contact Martin Horlock via martin.horlock@norfolk.gov.uk

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

• Competitive salary

• Generous holiday entitlement 

• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service

• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need. 

• Financial benefits such as:

  • ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.   

  • A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers

  • Relocation expenses (where applicable)

  • An advance of your expenses if you travel for work

  • Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions

  • Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes

  • Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)

  • A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job description and person specification to help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

Redeployment closing date: 3 March 2026 23:59

All other applicants closing date: 19 March 2026 23:59