Biodiversity and Ecology Officer

Working as a Biodiversity and Ecology Officer you will have a wide variety of opportunities including supporting the Lead Officer on biodiversity net gain and the development and implementation of biodiversity projects and initiatives across the District. You will work across two Business Units - Planning Policy and Planning Development - advising on the ecological implications of development, strategic planning and other proposals; ensuring the planning authority complies with wildlife legislation, policy requirements and duties, to effectively protect and enhance the District's biodiversity. Working across the Council, the postholder will support the development of a strategic approach to, and operational engagement with, protection and enhancement of biodiversity within the context of the Council's statutory role as the local planning authority, and where appropriate as a landowner and scheme developer. The postholder will also deputise for the Lead Officer in their absence. You will be highly motivated, enthusiastic and organised. The post offers an ability to engage with, and learn from, more than 30 professional team members formed by Development Management, Enforcement, Conservation and Planning Policy colleagues. You will possess a Level 7 qualification in a relevant environmental discipline or equivalent experience in a relevant specialist discipline along with at least a Level 4 Botanical Society of Britian and Ireland (BSBS) Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) - Level 5 desirable. We're an ambitious, forward-thinking Council with strong values and a culture of doing our absolute best to serve our customers. We are proud of our organisational culture and receive positive feedback from our employees. We have a programme of internal activity to ensure that the voices of our employees are always heard and that they are kept informed on all Council activity and events. From roadshows to an annual award ceremony, from reviewing working arrangements to our Hug in a Mug initiative, it is incredibly important our employees are shown how valued they are and that they remain the beating heart of our workplace.

• Enrolment in the career average local government pension scheme.
• Flexi scheme.
• Hybrid working.
• A generous annual leave entitlement that increases with service.
• Family-friendly benefits.
• One days' paid volunteering leave.
• Lifestyle benefits platform.
• Funded health cash plan.
• Free car parking
• £10 a month gym membership at one of our four gyms in the district.
You will be working with a professional, committed and experienced team who are passionate about supporting us to deliver the objectives as outlined in our Community Plan.