Ecologist & Green Space Officer

Central Bedfordshire Council; Caulcott; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking an Ecologist & Green Space Officer to join our Natural Environment team. You will provide ecological advice across planning and council activities, supporting biodiversity net gain and the Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces.

Hybrid working with onboarding in the Central Bedfordshire offices will apply, and travel across the county may be required. You will review ecological surveys, participate in site visits, and help deliver nature recovery

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology or closely related discipline.
• Knowledge of wildlife legislation and ecology best practice within planning.
• Experience giving technical ecological advice including biodiversity net gain.

Responsibilities

• Review planning applications and ecological surveys.
• Review biodiversity net gain proposals and conditions.
• Negotiate with applicants and consultees with case officers for mitigation.
• Conduct site visits and ecological surveys, monitor BNG and SANG sites.
• Represent the Council at planning appeals as an expert witness when required.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to conserve biodiversity.
• Provide ecological input to the Local Plan and other strategic documents.

Skills

Ecology

Planning advice

Stakeholder engagement

Biodiversity net gain

Field surveys

Technical interpretation

Education

Degree in ecology

CIEEM membership

Job description

Central Bedfordshire Council is looking to appoint an Ecologist & Green Space Officer to join our Natural Environment team within our Technical Skills Team. This is a key professional role providing ecological advice across the planning system and the wider council activities including supporting the managment of our Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces. You will play an important part in protecting and enhancing Central Bedfordshire's biodiversity, supporting sustainable development, and helping to deliver the council's ambitions around nature recovery networks and biodiversity net gain. The Council has an ambitious agenda with significant growth planned to 2025 for up to 39,000 homes and 24,000 jobs and a new Local Plan to 2050 is being prepared. You will be part of our multi-disciplinary Technical Skills Team within Strategic Growth, where you will promote our rich biodiversity and help the Council meet its vision for the area. As the Responsible Authority for the Bedfordshire LNRS, delivery of its biodiversity goals are important.

What will you be doing?

• Reviewing planning applications and associated ecological surveys, including interpretation of wildlife and habitats legislation.
• Reviewing biodiversity net gain (BNG) proposals and biodiversity gain conditions.
• Negotiating with applicants, agents, and consultees, working closely with Development Management Case Officers to agree appropriate mitigation and planning conditions.
• Undertaking site visits and ecological surveys, including monitoring BNG and Council owned SANG sites.
• Monitoring long term Mineral and Waste Restoration Plans.
• Represent the Council at planning appeals including hearings, inquiries and public forums acting as an expert witness when required.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, developers, statutory bodies and environmental partners to conserve and enhance the natural environment across the county.
• Providing ecological input to the councils Local Plan and other strategic documents to support policy making.
• Review Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA).
• Supporting the enforcement team relating to potential breaches of legislation/conditions.
• Representing the council at meetings, forums and public events, promoting biodiversity.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Planning, Environment, Highways, Parks and Legal Services, as well as with external partners including Natural England, the Environment Agency and local wildlife organisations.

All new starters will join us on a four-month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well-supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire. Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered. Free information, advice and guidance into work or learning provides free, impartial, information advice and guidance to those aged 16+ looking to get into work, learning or exploring a change of career.

Qualifications

• A degree (or equivalent) in ecology, nature conservation or a closely related discipline
• Minimum Associate membership of, or active progression towards membership of, a relevant professional body such as CIEEM
• Knowledge of wildlife legislation, ecological best practice and how these apply within the planning system
• Experience of providing technical ecological advice including biodiversity net gain
• Experience of ecological field survey techniques
• The ability to interpret technical reports, legislation and policy and present clear, balanced advice to a range of audiences
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• The ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively
• Experience of dealing with multiple work streams and working to tight deadlines
• A full driving licence and the ability to travel throughout the county and undertake site visits, including over rough terrain