Principal Planning Ecologist

£39,040–£44,689 | Permanent | Full time, 35 hours | Hybrid Bickley Hall Farm, Malpas, Cheshire Closing date: Sunday 4 October 2026 Wildlife is in freefall. The climate is in crisis. Business as usual is not enough. If you're a senior or principal ecologist, planning ecologist or environmental specialist with serious technical credibility, you probably know the drill: another site visit, another mitigation plan, another report explaining how to make the destruction slightly less awful. Maybe you're tired of being miles from home, stuck on the road, or pouring your expertise into places already marked for loss. What if you could use that expertise to influence the decisions themselves? Cheshire Wildlife Trust is looking for a confident Principal Planning Ecologist to help fight for a Wilder Cheshire. You'll be part of our Advocacy team, helping us reduce threats to nature by challenging systems, protecting and defending nature in decision-making and holding others to account. What you'll be doing You'll be the informed ecological voice behind our advocacy work, using evidence and technical expertise to identify risks and opportunities for nature. Your work will include:

• leading ecological assessment of policy, planning and infrastructure proposals
• informing Cheshire Wildlife Trust's position and leading responses to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
• producing high-quality consultation responses, briefings and technical reports
• supporting campaigns with robust ecological evidence and policy framing
• turning complex or incomplete information into clear recommendations for action
• identifying precedent-setting cases and advising when escalation or campaigning may be needed
• building relationships with planners, regulators, technical experts and other stakeholders
• tracking emerging policy and planning issues so we can advocate proactively
• holding decision-makers to account on biodiversity commitments and pushing for best-practice standards. You'll also provide environmental evidence, planning leadership and technical expertise across work including Biodiversity Net Gain, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, Neighbourhood Plans, Local Wildlife Sites and Environmental Impact Assessments. This may include providing expert advice to different audiences and giving evidence at planning examinations, hearings or inquiries. What we're looking for You'll bring expertise gained through at least seven years' relevant experience, a relevant Level 5 qualification, or membership/fellowship of a relevant professional body in areas such as Ecology, Environmental Science, Town and Country Planning or Environmental Management. You'll also need:
• in-depth knowledge of the planning system and policies relating to nature recovery
• a strong understanding of ecology in the context of Environmental Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain
• knowledge of ecosystems, habitats and species
• the ability to analyse detailed technical information and identify the key arguments
• strong strategic thinking
• excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to work confidently with people who may hold conflicting viewpoints
• the ability to create accurate, impactful positions and consultation responses that support nature-positive outcomes. We're looking for someone who can combine ecological expertise, strategic thinking and confident communication, someone able to defend nature with facts, energy and clarity. Why Cheshire Wildlife Trust? You'll join a small, friendly and passionate organisation working towards a Wilder Cheshire, with agile and hybrid working designed to support both delivery and a healthy work-life balance. Use the Apply button to visit the Cheshire Wildlife Trust website, download the full candidate pack and complete the application form.