Graduate Ecologist

Located at the heart of the Marches, the historic border countryside where England meets Wales,
Herefordshire is one of the most rural counties in England. Beautiful, unspoilt countryside,
two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historic parklands, the cathedral city of Hereford and
attractive market towns, provide an excellent quality of life. 

In 2020 Herefordshire Council declared an ecological emergency and committed to minimising its
impact on the environment. This has providing an exciting opportunity for the natural
environment team to lead the way in developing a nature strategy and natural evidence base as a
foundation upon which to grow the counties natural capital.

Through its work to improve water quality within our rivers the council has, in the last two
years, progressed a number of pioneering initiatives which include a phosphate calculator and a
series of integrated wetlands to remove excess nutrients from point source pollution. The
council is now seeking to address the more complex matter of diffuse pollution in partnership
with stakeholders.

As a consequence this is an exciting time to join a growing ecology team and to be part of a
wider Built and Natural Environment Service that comprises specialisms including Arboriculture,
Landscape Architecture, Archaeology and Building Conservation, as well as housing the
Biological Record Centre.

As a graduate ecologist you will be well supported by a principal and 3 senior ecologists. Your
main duties will include:

• To provide technical expertise to the planning service.
• To provide specialist advice for the delivery of council led projects on biodiversity and
  water quality.
• To support the principal and senior ecologists with undertaking Habitat Regulations
  Assessment.
• To respond to customer queries in accordance with service standards.
• To assist with Hedgerow Regulations and Tree Preservation Orders.
• To undertake site visits and survey work.

Benefits of working for Herefordshire Council:

• A competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension
  and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
• Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
• Generous Annual Leave: 26 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. After five
  years’ continuous service, this increases to 31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can
  also purchase an additional 10 days per annum
• Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home
  working
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and
  health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

We welcome applicants whatever their personal characteristics or social identity. All requests
for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered.

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post
they are applying for:

• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the
  “Disability Confident” scheme;
• Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or
  Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant;
• Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are a Herefordshire care leaver.
  This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details of this role.

To apply, please submit your CV and complete the supporting statement within the application
form, referring to the job description & person specification, detailing how you meet the
specific requirements of the role.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you would like to obtain
details regarding feedback on your application please contact Hoople Resourcing at: [email protected]