Ecology Officer

About Us

Join the London Borough of Hounslow where we passionately serve our diverse community to enhance residents' lives. Our council boasts visionary leadership, a proactive Cabinet, and strong collaborative partnerships fostering service transformation within one of London's most multicultural boroughs, full of opportunity and promise.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We uphold five fundamental values: Lead with Heart, Do New, Pass on the Power, Harness the Mix, and Be a Rock. Central to all efforts is equality, diversity, and inclusion, embodied in "Harness the Mix," which breaks down barriers to leverage the diverse perspectives of our workforce and community. We continually aim to reflect this diversity in our workforce and leadership, supported by vibrant employee networks and comprehensive learning programs that promote fairness and eliminate bias.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we accommodate candidates with reasonable adjustments, allowing applicants to specify their needs during the application process.

About the Role

The Ecology Officer plays a crucial role in facilitating major development projects to fulfill Biodiversity Net Gain requirements and the council’s vision of a cleaner, greener borough. This position involves advising internal officers, Councillors, developers, and the public on ecological matters, biodiversity enhancements, and habitat protections.

The officer will also support the formulation, execution, and monitoring of key council initiatives, including the Nature Recovery Strategy Action Plan, Green and Blue Infrastructure strategy, and Parks Masterplan, alongside tracking vital performance metrics.

Joining our Development Management Team, the successful candidate will help deliver optimal outcomes for residents by guiding development in alignment with the council’s ecological and environmental objectives. Independent working capability and confidence in stakeholder engagement are essential.

Team Environment

You will be part of the acclaimed Planning Team handling critical planning applications pivotal for the borough’s social and economic advancement. Balancing high housing and education infrastructure demands with environmental responsibilities such as addressing the Climate Emergency, protecting green belts, historical areas, and the River Thames frontage is central to our mission.

Key Skills and Qualities

• Provide expert ecology and biodiversity net gain advice on planning applications and appeals within deadlines, meeting quality standards.
• Adapt effectively to shifting priorities and conflicting workloads in a dynamic setting while recognizing when to seek senior guidance.
• Communicate thoughtfully and clearly in writing and verbally with members, the public, colleagues, and external partners.
• Exhibit strong negotiation skills internally and externally to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Maintain updated knowledge of relevant ecological and planning legislation, principles, and practices.
• Interpret and communicate legislation adeptly and recommend improvements in work practices.
• Demonstrate a passion for ecology in urban environments and enhance resident interactions with their surroundings.
• Display enthusiasm for creative, practical problem-solving within a collaborative team.
• Engage proactively with officers, Councillors, residents, and developers to negotiate and secure optimal project results.
• Commit to addressing equality issues both within the workplace and the wider community.

Interview Information

Interviews will be conducted during the week commencing 17 August 2026. For inquiries, please contact the provided telephone number 0208 583 6623.