If you are 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 are tired of being miles from home, stuck on the road, or pouring your expertise into places already marked for loss.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust is looking for a confident Principal Planning Ecologist to help fight for a Wilder Cheshire. You’ll be the informed ecological voice behind our advocacy work: analysing planning, policy and infrastructure proposals, exposing risks to nature and turning complex evidence into clear, powerful action.

You’ll produce bold consultation responses, briefings and technical reports; support campaigns with rock-solid science and policy firepower. You will work with planners, regulators, experts and partners to push for nature-positive outcomes. From Biodiversity Net Gain to Environmental Impact Assessments and Local Nature Recovery Strategies, you’ll help make sure wildlife is not ignored when big decisions are made.

We need strategic thinking, ecological expertise, fearless communication and the courage to hold decision makers to account.

If you can defend nature with facts, energy and clarity, this is your call to arms. 

In return, you will join an agile, flexible and friendly organisation with generous benefits, flexible working options and colleagues who are passionate about bringing wildlife back. 

Join us. Challenge the system. Back the wild.

At Cheshire Wildlife Trust we embrace agile working with a focus on supporting you to achieve your objectives alongside a healthy work-life balance. We operate a hybrid working policy with most staff working at least part of the week from home and/or out on site.

To apply, please download and complete the application form and return it to Emma Raine at jobs@cheshirewt.org.uk no later than midnight on Sunday the 4th of October 2026. 

No agencies please.

You may be required to carry out a DBS check for this role.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Sorry, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position

Download the job pack and application form below.