Directorate - Regeneration & Environment

Location: Riverside House / Hybrid, Rotherham

Salary: £37,938 - £40,476 (Pay award pending)

Job Reference: REQ20697

37 hours per week, permanent

Are you passionate about protecting nature and shaping sustainable places for people and wildlife? Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is looking for a skilled and motivated Ecologist to play a pivotal role across both our Planning and Green Spaces services.

In this dynamic post which is split 50/50 between planning and green space delivery, you’ll lead on ecological input for planning applications, particularly in relation to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), while also helping to shape and implement the borough’s Local Nature Strategy. You’ll provide expert guidance on habitat protection, species conservation, and green infrastructure, and take an active role in managing the council’s network of Local Wildlife Sites and Nature Reserves.

This is a vital, statutory critical role at the heart of our ambitions for nature recovery and climate resilience. You’ll be supported by, and manage, our dedicated Biodiversity Officer and Biological Records Officer.

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing expert ecological advice on planning applications (including BNG)
• Working closely with both Planning and Green Spaces teams (50/50 split)
• Line managing the Biodiversity Officer and Biological Records Officer
• Supporting the delivery of the statutory Local Nature Recovery Strategy
• Advising on habitat management, species protection, and opportunities presented through green infrastructure protection and creation
• Monitoring and improving Local Wildlife Sites and Local Nature Reserves
• Ensuring legal compliance and maximising external funding opportunities

Contact Martin Fisher, Countryside and Ecology Manager, e:mail Martin.fisher@rotherham.gov.uk for an informal chat and for further details.

This post will have access to the Public Services Network, if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at the Basic level (unspent criminal convictions).

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. For further information, please visit our website.

Closing date: 17th August 2025

For more information, and to apply online:Click Here