Nature Ecology Officer
Company Description
Established as an independent charity in 1992, The Parks Trust expertly cares for over 6,000 acres of beautiful and inspirational green space in Milton Keynes including parks, ancient woodlands, lakes, river valleys and 80 miles of landscaped areas along the city’s grid roads.
In most towns and cities, parkland is owned by the local authority, but Milton Keynes’ founders were pioneers and decided to do things differently. Their vision was to create a new town where the parkland and landscapes would be protected forever by a charity that was separate from local government. Doing so would ensure that, as the new town grew, its green spaces would never be compromised or have to fight for funding.
That all became a reality when The Parks Trust was set up in 1992. The new charity was given a 999-year lease on a total of 4,500 acres of Milton Keynes and an endowment of property valued at £20m. Returns on these carefully managed investments generate the primary source of income required to fund the charity’s wide-ranging work today and forever.
Over 100 staff and 240 volunteers deliver the essential work of The Parks Trust. In addition to landscaping and maintenance tasks, that also includes providing valuable recreation and leisure facilities, connecting communities at over 500 outdoor events each year, and advancing public education around the wildlife, biodiversity, and the environment.
As Milton Keynes grows, so does The Parks Trust. Each year, the charity takes on new green spaces and endowments from developers to cover costs in perpetuity. This approach ensures that all new areas of the city benefit from the same quality of inspiring, connected landscape and Milton Keynes remains a great place to live, work and play.
Position
This is an exciting time to join the Nature Services Team at The Parks Trust. Comprising of the Nature Services Manager and three Nature Services Officers, we are expanding to meet the opportunities presented by Biodiversity Net Gain, Countryside Stewardship, and a recent Lottery Award. The team is seeking to deliver ambitious uplift to our key nature sites and integrate wildlife throughout the parkland estate.
The Nature Ecology Officer role is a fantastic opportunity to get hands on with our developing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) offer. The role will be involved in all aspects of delivering BNG at the Trust, from undertaking site surveys and being the key point of contact for independent ecologist assessments, to monitoring implementation of BNG habitat management and managing our assets on a GIS system.
The Operations Team is responsible for managing over 6000acres of greenspace, and protected species feature in many parts of the landscape. The Nature Ecology Officer will play a key role in surveying and monitoring these species across our landscape and providing advice to those teams that manage habitats in and around protected species. Additionally, the role will support internal development projects at the Trust, interpreting surveys and advice provided by external ecological consultants to internal project teams where required.
The role will be supervised by the Nature Services Manager and supported by the three other colleagues in the wider Nature Services Team. All fees associated with licences and professional memberships are paid for by The Parks Trust.
The role will be a blend of outside and office-based work and involve outside work in all season and conditions.
HOURS & SALARY INFO
Hours
- 37.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday
Salary
- £34,390 per annum
Key Objectives
- Support the development of Parks Trust’s Biodiversity Net Gain programme.
- Implement protected species management protocols at the Parks Trust.
- Co-develop and administer a protected species management system.
- Provide ecological advice on protected species to support the Trust’s Operations and Property teams
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION ATTACHED.
Requirements
Essential
- Education to BSc level in ecology, wildlife conservation or a related area; or equivalent experience (minimum of 2 years)
- BNG experience – including metric training and performing condition assessments.
- Has a solid understanding of the relevant legislation for great crested newts and holds a Level 1 Licence.
- Applied ecology experience in planning operational work.
- Experience in observing habitat management or removal work (ECoW)
- Experience providing ecology and protected species advice on development projects and habitat management work.
- Good stakeholder management skills (internal and external)
- Report writing to a degree/professional ecology standard
- Experience of using Office 365.
- Has or is working towards a CIEEM Associate membership.
- Ability to travel around Milton Keynes independently.
Desirable
- MSc in ecology, wildlife conservation or a related area; or equivalent experience.
- Has Associate membership of CIEEM.
- Training and experience in an ecological consultancy.
- Hold an additional protected species licence for one of the following: bats, badgers, or dormice.
- Experience using GIS software.
- Full Driving Licence.
Personal Attributes
- Confident in providing ecological advice
- Interest in wildlife, biodiversity and conservation
- Can work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Clear and effective communicator
- Awareness and embodiment of CIEEM’s code of professional conduct
Other information
In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:
- Competitive salary.
- Ongoing support and training.
- Excellent contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution).
- Income protection and life assurance cover after qualifying period.
- Enhanced family friendly policies after qualifying period.
- Home Working policy.
- Occupational sick pay.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Salary sacrifice schemes for tech & electric cars.
- Generous annual leave allowance.
- Wellbeing day off per year.
- Buying and Selling option for annual leave.
- Medical Cash Plan.
- Access to employee wellbeing helpline.
- Discount for Willen Lake activities and café.
- Free eye tests.
- Great office in a parkland setting with free parking.
Application process
Please apply online using the link through our website using Cezanne.
- Deadline is Monday 12 January 2026
- First interviews via teams – Monday 19 January 2026
- Second interviews – Tuesday 27 January 2026
The Parks Trust is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, Charity Commission guidance and best practice standards.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
If you need additional support with your application or would like further information, please contact recruitment@theparkstrust.com.