Ecologist (New Forest Habitat Restoration Team)
| Posting date: | 09 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,854 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 29 March 2026 |
| Location: | SO43 7NH |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 451761/1 |
Summary
You will work as part of a team delivering terrestrial and wetland habitat restoration programmes with specific emphasis on HLS funded work delivery. As an Ecologist, you will provide essential ecological support to the team as they plan and deliver habitat restoration projects across the New Forest. You will also take a leading role in the development and delivery of your own restoration projects, ensuring high ecological standards are met throughout.
Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.
Where you’ll work…
Based at The King’s House, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7NH in the South District team.
Our South England Forest District team is made up of around 160 people, containing a diverse range of roles - from wildlife rangers and ecologists to marketing professionals, we all contribute towards the management of 46,000 hectares (ha) of public forest estate and national parks that stretch from Sussex to Dorset, and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight.
Much of this forest is of high national importance for nature conservation and wildlife, and of international importance for biodiversity. South England Forest District is therefore responsible for land that includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) and sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The successful candidate will join the Higher-Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme team based in the New Forest. The team plans and delivers landscape-scale habitat restoration projects with external funding from the Verderer’s of the New Forest HLS scheme. The scheme is focused on restoring and enhancing internationally-important habitats, renowned for their flora and fauna, and covering around 20,000 hectares.
Key responsibilities & accountabilities
- Provide expert ecological advice and guidance to the habitat restoration team.
- Ensure all restoration work is planned and delivered in full compliance with environmental legislation.
- Support the team in designing and implementing restoration activities that enhance biodiversity across designated sites.
- Apply for and manage protected species licences required for restoration works.
- Commission, oversee and review ecological and species surveys.
- Undertake reviews of SSSI conditions and maintain regular liaison with NE.
- Monitor how restoration activities are influencing site condition and recommend adaptive management where needed.
- Manage ecological and operational contracts, including leading the invasive species eradication programme. Identify ecological risks within planned restoration projects and advise on appropriate mitigation.
- Provide high-quality ecological input into project proposals, site plans and decision-making.
- Contribute to long-term ecological monitoring and reporting to support funding and regulatory requirements.
- Support colleagues through training or informal advice to build ecological awareness within the wider restoration team.
- Communicate and liaise with stakeholders regarding our commitments to the environment and nature conservation legislation.
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