Field Ecologist – Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme(Ref: 5669)

East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber

This position is based nationally

Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural Environment?

If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.

The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:

• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive.
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change.
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods.
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature, and
• Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing.

We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.

Find out more about the work of Natural England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england

The Team is responsible for delivering Natural England’s part of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA). 

The NCEA is a transformative programme to understand the extent, condition and change over time of environmental assets across England’s land and water environments, supporting the government’s ambition to improve the environment within a generation. Data will come from Earth Observation, professional field data collection, citizen science and partner data sets. 

Natural England’s Terrestrial NCEA delivery is organised into projects:

1. Mapping and Earth Observation – Spatial data and maps on natural capital to inform national and local decision making and delivery.
2. England Peat Map – Mapping the extent and condition of England’s peatlands.
3. Field data collection – Data on habitats, soils, landscapes and species to understand the condition of natural capital assets.
4. Citizen science – Working with citizens and community science to fill gaps, provide local and landscape scale information and engaging the public.
5. Data mobilisation and integration and reporting – Making NCEA, partner and volunteer data available for analysis, integration and use, producing high quality evidence products by analysing and integrating NCEA data.
6. Programme management – Managing Natural England’s NCEA programme.

This role sits within Project NE3 – Field Data Collection. The England Ecosystem Survey work package will use professional survey as a tool to provide high quality data to assess the state and condition of biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural capital assets within England’s habitats and landscapes addressing data gaps, including soils. 

We are looking for ecologists with experience in field survey and its planning and project management, including management and development of mobile field technology. These surveyor roles will be our people on the ground: taking on the England Ecosystem Survey, NCEA soil surveys, England Peat Map surveys and ground truthing our Earth Observation data.

Job description 1 

Job Description/Key responsibilities of a Lead Adviser Field Surveyor in Evidence Services:

The role will be predominantly field based and involve organising and carrying out a range of ecological surveys across England. Survey scope is likely to include botanical surveying on a range of habitats (heathlands, grasslands, ponds, coastal, ditches, hedgerows, 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. 

We are looking for people who have good botanical survey skills in a range of habitats and experience using a range of digital data capture tools and a willingness to use new technology. See technical skills and knowledge competency. 

Due to the nature of these roles, following interview panel assessment suitable candidates will need to undertake a brief, online field identification test. Suitable candidates will be contacted separately regarding this assessment. 

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 (preferably experienced in ArcGIS), 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, carryout field surveys, capture and manage a variety of habitat and landscape data.

A full UK driving licence is required. These roles will require regular travel (using public transport where possible) throughout England and overnight stays are required. Surveyors typically spend 50% of their time out in the field. We aim to follow the principal of a week in the field and a week in the office but there is an element of flexibility expected depending on specific demand.   

Key tasks and accountabilities:

• Undertake site surveys, record findings and analyse the condition of a variety of landscapes and habitats.
• 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, landowners 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 very strong expertise on UK priority habitats and species (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).
• Experience of ArcGIS and data analysis skills (essential) (ArcGIS preferable)
• Knowledge of the latest techniques and technology in ecological monitoring and management (desirable).
• Ability to drive – a full UK driving licence is required (essential).

Competencies

Competence   1

Professional competency

Detail  

Technical Skills and knowledge (Practitioner)

Description  

A degree in Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science and/or Conservation or an equivalent qualification and relevant work experience (essential)
Experience in ecological field surveys and their planning and project management (essential)
Experience of GIS and data analysis skills (essential)
Ability to drive – a full UK driving licence is required (essential)
Knowledge of the latest techniques and technology in ecological monitoring and management (desirable)

Competence 2  

Professional competency

Detail  

Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas (Practitioner)

Description  

Recognise and describe the environmental value of designated sites (including undertaking condition assessments using the correct methodology) (Practitioner)
Understand how natural processes, land/sea management and use impact the conservation and management of geodiversity, the marine and historic environments (Practitioner)
Understand the environmental value of designated sites and explain that to partners, stakeholders and customers (Practitioner)
Use and contribute to the evidence base on environmental and landscape change to support resilient landscapes and seascapes. customers (Practitioner)

Competence 3  

Professional competency

Detail  

Personal Effectiveness (Practitioner)

Description  

Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience (Basic)
Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence (Practitioner)
Apply new technology to improve the way we deliver our work (Practitioner)

Competence 4  

Professional competency

Detail  

Putting People at the heart of the environment (Practitioner)

Description  

Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England (Practitioner)
Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England’s vision, mission and aims (Practitioner)
Understand and explain the outcomes that we seek in your local patch and how these fit in with local and national issues (Basic)

 

Please refer to Job Description

Full driving license

Alongside your salary of £29,318, Natural England contributes
£7,945 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

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Job contact :

• Name : Stephen Marsh
• Email : Stephen.marsh@naturalengland.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defra-recruitment-enquiries@gov.sscl.com