Senior / Development Officer –  Ecology

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Ecologist to join the Council’s award-winning multi-disciplinary Conservation of the Historic Environment, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Ecology Team. 

Working within Planning, Design and Engagement Services at Solihull Council, you will be responsible for providing timely specialist and professional advice on ecological issues, supporting colleagues in the Development Management and Planning Policy Teams with selected planning applications and in the plan-making process. 

You will

• Be involved in the development and implementation of nature conservation management plans and projects 
• Assist in the delivery of the Council’s Statutory Duties in relation to planning and the environment, carrying out ecological surveys and writing reports as required. 
• Positively contribute towards a range of corporate priorities and programs
• Work closely with the Council’s internal and external partners, including liaison with other conservation bodies and local authority ecologists, statutory agencies, and non-government organisations with regards initiatives to protect, enhance and restore nature conservation sites and landscapes across the Borough. 

You will have:

• A degree in Ecology (or equivalent subject) 
• Good working knowledge of British ecology and nature conservation priorities, including the role of nature conservation in the planning process and the legislative and policy framework.
• A good understanding of planning, whether at local authority or private practice
• Demonstrable experience and a proven track record of delivering environmental enhancement projects and the management of different habitats. 
• Sound knowledge of project management
• Understanding of relevant policy, procedure, and legislation 

In return we can offer:

• A friendly, supportive, and inclusive working environment.
• Flexible working including home working. 
• Annual leave starting at 25 days and rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service with 8 public holidays and the opportunity to purchase up to 10 additional days holiday per year.
• A generous flexitime scheme (available for most roles) with up to 24 days flexitime allowed per year.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A wide range of learning and development opportunities.
• A range of family and carer friendly policies.
• Employee benefits including subsidised travel passes, Cycle 2 Work Scheme, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and staff discounts.

To apply, please click on the link below. If you have any questions regarding the role or would like to chat further about your suitability for it, please contact , Mike Eastwood, Team Leader, Conservation of the Historic Environment, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Ecology Team-on 07768 553099 or email meastwood@solihull.gov.uk or Natalie Wood, Senior Development Officer – Ecology on email natalie.walker@solihull.gov.uk  

Closing Date: 23rd March 2025 - where sufficient numbers of applications are received, we reserve the right to close the vacancy before this closing date.  We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Interview Date: w/c 31st March 2025

Why Solihull?  There’s plenty going on to get you out and about in our beautiful borough including Solihull’s 17 Green Flag parks, and 23 Local Nature Reserves. UK Central is one of the largest growth programmes in the country capturing development proposals for Birmingham Airport, Jaguar Land Rover, Arden Cross, HS2 and the National Exhibition Centre. In addition, we handle the range of work you would expect of an economically prosperous Authority with primary urban areas, rural villages and a high-quality Green Belt. 

Solihull’s natural environment is a key component of the economic growth agenda, and the Council is committed to protecting and enhancing our network of green and blue infrastructure and the natural processes that supports our wellbeing.

We are currently negotiating the complexities of delivering a revised Local Plan and working hard to do what is needed to welcome the arrival of HS2. We pride ourselves on being a Council that is small enough to care, but big enough to make a difference. To help achieve this we seek to protect, enhance, and restore our historic, built and natural environment, and deliver the best development in the right locations, championing design quality, biodiversity and those natural processes that underpin value to people. 

With such a big agenda, we are looking for a dynamic, positive and committed ecologist with good communication skills, who is ICT literate and customer focussed with a can-do approach to help us rise to the challenge.

We are committed to delivering our services as efficiently as possible and an ability to work flexibly with technology will be required. You need a valid driving licence, access to a vehicle for business purposes and possess the necessary ability to carry out site visits across the Borough.

Attached documents
JDPS Development Officer - Ecology (002).docx