Countryside Ecologist

Do you have a passion for nature and conservation? Are you ready to step into a role where your expertise in ecology can shape landscapes, support biodiversity, and connect people with nature?

At Staffordshire County Council, we are committed to creating an innovative, ambitious, and sustainable environment where everyone thrives. As part of our Environment & Countryside Service, you'll join a vibrant team dedicated to preserving 4,500 km of public rights of way, overseeing breath-taking country parks, and leading essential conservation projects. Our vision is to foster sustainable communities, improve local ecosystems, and champion Staffordshire’s countryside.

You will be joining us at an exciting time at Staffordshire County Council as we develop our Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and are committing substantial invest in our Countryside Estate. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills, make impactful decisions, and work toward a sustainable future for Staffordshire’s Country Parks and wider environment.

This role is based at Cannock Chase with access to desk space in Stafford and travel throughout the County. 

​This is a full time role fixed term for 2 years.

Main Responsibilities

As our Countryside Ecologist, you’ll bring expert ecological guidance to support the management of Cannock Chase, country parks, and other natural spaces. You’ll be hands-on managing habitat restoration, conservation projects, and the reintroduction of grazing initiatives for a internationally important heathland, whilst ensuring compliance with relevant local and national legislation.

You’ll work across Staffordshire and as part of with a passionate team to lead habitat conservation projects and Countryside Stewardship schemes, forge partnerships, and inspire local volunteers, while ensuring compliance with environmental standards and legislation.

You will also:

• Lead the ecological management of habitats and species across Staffordshire’s countryside estate.
• Lead on reviewing and developing conservation grazing projects.
• Develop and manage projects, including species recovery, habitats and legal compliance.
• manage grants and environmental schemes, from applications to reporting compliance.
• Collaborate with county environmental specialists, statutory agencies, and local stakeholders; including public consultation activities.
• Supervise and empower volunteers, fostering a positive culture for conservation and community engagement.

The Ideal Candidate

What You’ll Bring:

• A degree or equivalent experience in ecology or a related field.
• Strong background in habitat management, conservation methods, and biodiversity legislation.
• Practical skills in contract management, GIS, and public engagement.
• Physical fitness to work outdoors across all seasons and a full driving license.
• Ability to form working relationships with dispersed individuals and teams.

If you would like more information about the role, contact CathyTaylor  cathy.taylor@staffordshire.gov.uk

Interview Date: Wednesday 11 December 2024

“We’re happy to talk flexible working” 

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too. 

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post. 

As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.