4511 - Field Unit Ecologist

About the role

During the main summer survey season the role will be predominantly field based and involve organising and carrying out a range of habitat surveys across England. Survey scope is likely to include botanical surveying on a range of habitats (heathlands, grasslands, woodlands, coastal, wetlands, urban etc) and will include data collection associated with assessing landscape features and soils, some of which will extend into the winter months. Equipment will include a mixture of traditional and Geographical Information System based recording/collection tools to enable georeferenced data collection and spatial mapping. Survey season length will vary each year depending on habitat and purpose. Off season the focus will be on reporting, data analysis, planning and preparing, including updates to methods and development of training materials ahead of the following year’s survey season.

We are looking for people who have good botanical survey skills (FISC level 3 or above - essential) in a range of habitats and experience using a range of digital data capture tools and a willingness to use new technology. We are also looking for entomologists with reasonable botanical survey skills (FISC level 3 or above – essential). See technical skills and knowledge competency.

Due to the nature of these roles, following interview panel assessment, suitable candidates will need to undertake a field identification test at a National Nature Reserve. Suitable candidates will be contacted separately with regard to this assessment.

All these roles will suit individuals with proven field ecology experience with the successful applicants able to undertake botanical field surveys of UK habitats. Whilst all these roles are for field surveyors, there are elements of the role which will require office working throughout the year between surveys. We are seeking ecologists with more than just field skills - applicants must also be able to analyse and interpret data, work successfully with partners and train, support and advise colleagues.

The work will require staff to co-ordinate with other Natural England teams, work with our partners, liaise with landowners, carry out field surveys, capture and manage a variety of habitat and landscape data.

A full UK driving licence is required. These roles will require regular national travel (using public transport where possible) throughout England and regular overnight stays of several days are required. 

Key tasks and accountabilities:

• Undertake site surveys, record findings and analyse the condition of a variety of landscapes and habitats
• Be responsible for project/field survey planning and co-ordination.
• Lead or support the delivery of projects as determined by NE Programme Boards and Area Teams
• Organise field surveys and small teams delivering surveys to meet an agreed work programme
• Contribute towards the development and improvement of survey methodology and explore opportunities for improvements, enhancements and/or innovations in the field collection process.
• Liaise with and uphold good communication with other Natural England teams, land owners and managers and members of the public.
• Build and develop strong internal and external working relationships.
• Resolve problems that involve detailed investigation, analysis and the exercise of judgement in making recommendations or determining appropriate action. For example; negotiating land access permission / liaising with public and staff in relation to site safety.
• Lead or coordinate surveys/project progress and share findings to relevant audiences e.g. via webinars, articles and team and project meetings as necessary.
• Provide and/or support training (e.g. courses, webinars, in field coaching etc.) and mentoring opportunities for other staff to develop and build upon their existing field skills and knowledge of land management practices.
• Seek to identify key evidence gaps, source information from partners and work with colleagues to commission appropriate research and monitoring work;

Technical Skills and knowledge:

• A broad understanding across the breadth of field ecology skills (including NVC) with strong expertise on UK priority habitats and species (equivalent to Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) Level 3+ (essential) but 4-5 preferred.
• Entomologists ideally require expertise in wetland aquatic/semi-aquatic invertebrates (but not essential) and botanical/habitat survey skills (equivalent to at least FISC level 3+ (essential).
• Strong knowledge of management practices to maintain or enhance a range of ecosystems, habitats, species and geodiversity (essential)
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with evidence of engagement with a wide range of public and private sector bodies (essential).
• Good written and verbal communication skills (essential)
• Experience of ArcGIS and data analysis skills (desirable)
• Knowledge of the latest techniques and technology in ecological monitoring and management (desirable).
• Experience of commissioning and managing contracts (desirable)
• Budget management and procurement experience (desirable)
• Ability to drive – a full UK driving licence is required (essential).

Additional information

This post will involve considerable national (England) travel to undertake field survey as well as attend NE and partner meetings and therefore overnight stays will be required. The post holder will also be expected to have involvement in other technical projects and assessments in a related field to the work outlined above. 

Natural England is adopting hybrid working – which means that our staff will work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. By default, all new staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England and the expectation is that all new staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographic area. For these roles we are seeking candidates linked to Newcastle, Penrith, Kendal, York, Leeds, Manchester, Crewe, Norwich, Peterborough or Cambridge offices.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties working in this way and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Travel expenses will be paid if work related travel if required but does not apply to travel between home and your associated office.

National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office, but these roles are being recruited into to fill geographic gaps in the existing team. We are seeking candidates based in our Northumbria, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, Cheshire and Lancashire, West Anglia and Norfolk and Suffolk Area Teams. For a map of the areas covered by these teams, please view this here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-office-locations

The successful candidate(s) will be required to show flexibility in managing and adapting to other work should team priorities or resources change.

Benefits

At Natural England, we want everyone to thrive. We’re as committed to creating an inclusive culture as we are to protecting our environment, and welcome applications from a wide range of communities. You’ll get 33 days of annual leave, benefit from flexible working patterns, including flexi-time, and have access to the civil service pension scheme.

We offer a generous learning and development package including a tailored personal development plan, access to apprenticeships, self directed and external learning, and encourage membership with relevant bodies to help with your future career

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria

Please note: 

• If we receive very high numbers of applications, we will make an initial sift based solely on the Technical Skills and Knowledge evidence demonstrated in the applications.
• We may use a reserve list of candidates who pass at interview for any future opportunities that arise at the same grade in Natural England where similar skill sets are needed.

Level of security checks required  

Basic Check (BPSS)

Ability to drive – a full UK driving licence is required (essential)

Experience of ArcGIS and data analysis skills (desirable)

Knowledge of the latest techniques and technology in ecological monitoring and management (desirable)

Evidence Directorate

The Evidence Directorate provides scientific and evidence leadership, services and support to help Natural England operate as an evidence-based organisation. We plan and lead the delivery of Natural England’s single Evidence Programme. The Team provides access to evidence through on-line systems and publications and provides evidence services to others in Natural England; particularly geographic information services. We lead work to implement our Monitoring Strategy and develop new approaches.

Natural England Field Unit

Natural England’s Field Unit is a dedicated national team of ecologists. It strives/aims to be a network of excellence for field ecology in Natural England. It also comprises an annual intake of staff from other parts of the organisation who work part time with the unit and a wide network of alumni from the Area teams. The Field Unit’s annual work programme supports delivery of Natural England’s priorities through field survey, building NE’s capability in ecology through an annual training programme and field testing innovation work e.g. new approaches to Protected Sites Monitoring including using UAVs, DNA and testing monitoring reforms such as assessing SSSIs using a Feature rather than Unit based approach.

Roxy Parker - roxy.lewis@naturalengland.org.uk - 07824113031

Owen Kelly-Reynolds - owen.kelly-reynolds@naturalengland.org.uk - 07789 524 647