Senior Conservation Adviser

We have an exciting new vacancy for a Senior Conservation Adviser to join our Conservation Team. If you are looking for a role that has a focus on our local environment, and love engaging with equally passionate people, then we want to hear from you! You will be encouraged to have a voice, be free-thinking and empowered, whilst working in a high-performing team, and have a genuine opportunity to make an impact. Although based in Bath, this role will require you to travel throughout the Wessex Water region on a regular basis. We also offer flexible working, allowing you to work from home some of the time, if preferred, as well as our office. What you'll do Within our talented Conservation team, we are committed to meeting our responsibilities to conserve and enhance wildlife and heritage. We work well together to drive great solutions for our customers and the environment. Reporting to the Conservation Manager, you will:

• support the company with expert technical knowledge on habitat restoration, creation and management
• identify appropriate, sustainable and quality habitat solutions at a scale that allows for ecological functionality
• help us establish the right habitats which will contribute towards the high biodiversity value and distinctiveness of our area
• support our in-house Environment and Planning Services team to meet our new Biodiversity Net Gain requirements
• undertake monitoring of BNG on our own sites and ensure compliance with HMMPs, reporting to local planning authorities
• agree and implement any adjustments required to enable habitats to achieve target conditions or deliver alternative provisions where required
• design and deliver site assessments and maintain our habitat management schedule to ensure company compliance
• procure site biodiversity management work and engage with both internal and external stakeholders.
The role is diverse and will involve all aspects of the provision of conservation advice to the business and delivering conservation land management.

To be successful in this role, you will have a minimum of five years' experience in conservation project work, including habitat assessment, monitoring and management. It is desirable that you have a Biological Sciences or Environmental Management degree or similar, however, dependent on experience, this is not essential. You will have:
• strong botanical identification skills with competence in habitat classification and habitat mapping (UKHab)
• a background in the provision of technical habitat management advice
• competence in the delivery of conservation management techniques
• experience managing ecological surveys, monitoring, data analysis and recording
• you will be positive and forward-thinking with a flexible approach to problem-solving and achieving solutions
• good IT skills, including a knowledge of ArcView GIS, Microsoft Excel and Word
• excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write detailed reports and present compelling arguments to a range of internal and external audiences
• the ability to deliver projects within specified budget and time constraints, both independently and as part of a team
• a keen eye for detail and a proven record of establishing and adhering to detailed delivery methods and processes is essential.
Due to the nature of travelling around the Wessex Water region, which in some cases can be very rural, a full clean driving licence is essential. This role includes a car allowance or entitlement to a company car.

We are one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West. The work we do goes beyond providing an essential public service. We also aim to have a positive impact on the communities we serve and the natural environment. Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have the opportunity to develop and progress your career, while also receiving health and wellbeing support. We also continue to promote diversity and inclusion - with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer. This is an exciting opportunity to join us and if you would like to be part of our journey, we would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to let us know about any additional support you may need.

Circa £44,000 Permanent Bath,
• Total pension contributions up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary, subject to conditions.
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.