Ecologist/BNG Lead

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the South West of England is seeking an Interim Biodiversity Lead to join their Town Planning Department on a 6-month contract. The successful candidate will provide senior ecological and arboreal expertise, ensuring compliance with ecological laws on major development proposals. Applicants should have significant experience working with local planning authorities and the ability to prepare relevant planning policies. Flexible working arrangements are offered, with a pay rate of up to £55 per hour.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar Ecology role is essential.
• Demonstrable professional experience post-qualification.
• Ability to provide ecological and tree-related advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior ecological and arboreal expertise for planning functions.
• Ensure adherence to ecological legislation on development proposals.
• Collaborate with sustainability officers and relevant bodies.

Skills

Ecological expertise

Knowledge of environmental law

Experience with local planning authorities

Ability to implement planning policy

Job description

Carrington West are assisting their local authority client based in the South West of England in the search for an Interim Biodiversity Lead (Ecologist) to join their Town Planning Department on an initial 6‑month contract.

Job Purpose

• Provide senior level ecological and arboreal expertise to support the delivery of the council’s planning functions in a customer‑focused and solutions‑led way, creating the right conditions for accelerating high‑quality development and supporting sustainable growth in Swindon.
• Ensure the council’s responsibilities and powers under the Planning Acts in relation to all matters of ecology and trees are discharged. This includes, but is not limited to, providing solutions‑based advice on major development proposals and contributing to relevant policy creation which promotes ecology, biodiversity and habitat creation across the borough.
• Through the Manager, support the Chief Planning Officer to unlock planning barriers and provide the appropriate policy context to support key regeneration projects, transform the town centre and support the council’s emerging new ways of localities working.

Key Accountabilities

• Interpret relevant legislation to provide ecological and arboreal advice on major development proposals.
• Contribute to the formulation and monitoring of Development Plan policies and supplementary planning documents relating to ecology and trees.
• Work closely with the Sustainability & Climate Change officers to engage with Natural England and other national, regional and local bodies on matters of ecology and trees including biodiversity, habitats and related aspects of environmental laws.
• Lead on ecology projects and initiatives including, but not limited to, the District Level Licensing (DLL) scheme and Nature Recovery Networks (NRN).
• Provide consultee advice on applications for significant works to protected trees (Tree Preservation Orders & Trees in a Conservation Area) and work to ensure the borough’s tree stock is actively reviewed and appropriately recorded through GIS platforms.
• Provide expert advice on quantified tree risk assessment, including dangerous trees and, particularly tree‑related subsidence claims if these emerge.
• Provide training and updates to colleagues on any aspects of Ecology, and keep planning teams informed of key changes to or initiatives around Environmental legislation, systems or processes.
• Ensure that the culture, behaviours and shared values that make the Council successful are embedded across the service and create an effective and efficient working environment to deliver Council priorities and pledges.

To apply for these roles, it is essential that you have worked in a similar Ecology role and have a working knowledge of relevant environmental law. The successful candidates must have demonstrable and relevant professional experience post‑qualification in a similar work environment providing ecological and/or tree‑related advice to a local planning authority, as well as ability to prepare, shape and implement relevant planning policy and policy documents.

Carrington West is looking for candidates who will be able to hit the ground running and are offering flexible working arrangements.

Compensation & Reference

Pay Rate - Up to £55 per hour
Job Ref - 62739

Contact

Please call Cameron de Wit on 02393 876014 for a confidential discussion on this role, or email me or our planning team if you are short of time to chat:
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Carrington West's dedicated Town Planning Recruitment Team supplies clients UK wide on both a permanent and contract basis and all levels of seniority. If this role is too senior, too junior, or in a location that is unsuitable, but you are keen on options, please still feel free to apply and we can discuss other, often unadvertised roles with you.