Location
Hertfordshire (Countywide)

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
Starting salary £31,536 progressing to £34,433 per annum (pro rata for part time)

About the Role
Are you passionate about protecting and enhancing the natural environment? Do you want to make a real difference to biodiversity and ecology in one of the UK’s most diverse counties? We are seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Ecology Advisor to join our growing expert team of ecologists within the LEADS team (Landscape, Ecology, Archaeology, Development & Sustainability). You will work collaboratively across environmental disciplines to ensure ecology is central to planning decisions and growth across Hertfordshire.

This is an exciting time to join us as we implement Biodiversity Net Gain and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy—transformative initiatives that elevate the role of ecology in planning, placemaking, and climate change mitigation. You will help shape the future of our county’s natural spaces, contributing to sustainability, ecological resilience, and climate mitigation.

As an Assistant Ecology Advisor, you will take the first steps in a rewarding ecology career, enhancing your academic knowledge and applying it in real-life situations. Training and guidance will be provided by senior colleagues, alongside external opportunities covering planning principles, botanical identification, site visits, bat and artificial lighting courses, and species identification.

Your responsibilities will include supporting the interpretation and assessment of ecological reports, ensuring planning decisions are informed by current biodiversity legislation and policy, conducting site visits and ecological fieldwork to assess habitats and inform biodiversity net gain calculations, liaising with planners, developers, landowners and conservation partners, preparing reports, contributing to policy development, responding to public and stakeholder enquiries, and championing sustainability and ecological best practice across the Council’s work.

Experience
- Ability to analyse ecological data and reports and communicate findings clearly.
- Willingness to learn and collaborate with experienced team members.
- Experience with biological recording and voluntary ecological networks is desirable.
- Familiarity with GIS and ecological databases is desirable.
- Understanding of key environmental stakeholders such as Natural England and the Environment Agency is desirable.

About you
We are looking for someone with a strong foundation in ecology or natural sciences and a genuine passion for the natural world. Whether you are a recent graduate or have relevant experience, enthusiasm and commitment to ecological conservation are essential.

You should have strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to learning and teamwork.

Qualifications
- A degree (or equivalent) in a natural science or relevant discipline, or equivalent work experience.
- Vocational ecological qualifications or working towards protected species licences are desirable.
- Understanding and knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain is desirable.