Biodiversity Officer (Planning)

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; West Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in West Yorkshire is seeking a Lead Biodiversity Officer / Ecologist for their Development Management team. This full-time, permanent role involves protecting biodiversity and formulating planning policies while providing professional guidance on planning applications. The successful candidate should have a relevant qualification and extensive experience in wildlife conservation. The position offers hybrid working and a competitive salary, amongst various perks.

Benefits

Retention payment of £3,000

Competitive salary

Generous leave entitlement

Flexible working

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in ecology or a related field.
• Experience in biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
• Knowledge of wildlife law and policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and evaluation of planning applications related to biodiversity.
• Gather evidence and formulate planning policies.
• Produce clear reports on biodiversity assessments.

Skills

Experience in biodiversity and wildlife conservation

Knowledge of wildlife law

Strong IT skills

Strong written communication skills

Strong numeracy skills

Excellent customer service

Teamwork

Ability to work flexibly

Experience in partnership working

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology

Education

Relevant qualification in ecology or related subject

Tools

Word

Excel

Access

Job description

Overview

The successful postholder is eligible for a Retention Payment of (agreed on a recurring annual basis) £3,000 split into 2 separate payments once eligible.

Kirklees Council has an exciting opportunity for a lead Biodiversity Officer / Ecologist to join the Development Management team based in Huddersfield (Hybrid – home and office work). You will be working on a full-time, permanent basis and in return, you will receive a competitive salary, generous leave entitlement, and flexible working, amongst other things.

About the post

This is an exciting time to join the Kirklees Council Development Management team. Our Kirklees Local Plan is currently being updated and you will have an opportunity to protect and enhance the varied wildlife of this wonderful part of West Yorkshire through the conception and delivery of the Kirklees Local Plan, helping to gather evidence and formulate planning policies for the future.

You will also work as part of a small team to provide professional advice, guidance, interpretation and evaluation of pre-planning enquiries, planning applications, and appeals in relation to biodiversity and ecology issues.

Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will be an experienced individual (to be appointed at Grade 10-11) and will have/is:

• A relevant qualification in ecology or related subject, and/or experience in the field.
• Experience of dealing with biodiversity and wildlife conservation in relation to Development Management.
• Knowledgeable on wildlife law, policy and procedures relating to Development Management
• Experience in undertaking and interpreting biodiversity net gain assessments including the completion of a Defra based biodiversity metric
• Strong IT skills to support working with packages such as Word, Excel, and Access as well as specific IT packages.
• Strong written communication skills to be able to produce clear reports and documentation.
• Strong numeracy skills to be able to perform accurate financial and arithmetical calculations.
• Have the ability to demonstrate excellent customer service and excellent interpersonal skills at all times.
• An excellent team player and works hard to direct and contribute to team goals.
• The ability to work flexibly including occasional evenings.
• Knowledge of ecosystem services and interrelationships with other services and departments. Good knowledge of wider sector / external influences.
• Experience of partnership working.
• Experience of representing the ecology and biodiversity to external audiences.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

How to apply

If you are interested in this excellent role which gives you the opportunity to use your knowledge and experience to contribute to the forward-thinking Planning and Development Management Service in Kirklees, apply below!

This posting may end earlier than the closing date shown if we receive suitable applications.

Julia Steadmanis the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.