Environmental Performance Officer - Biodiversity

South East Water; Tonbridge and Malling; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the water supply sector is seeking an Environmental Performance Officer - Biodiversity. This role involves delivering environmental services, managing biodiversity, and liaising with stakeholders to ensure compliance with environmental legislation. You'll support key projects to enhance sustainability and minimize risks, whilst contributing to an effective environmental management framework.

Benefits

Stakeholder pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution

5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible holiday buy/sell scheme

Paid volunteering days

Cycle to work scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in effective environmental risk management.
• Practical ecological/environmental experience.
• Experience in habitat restoration and management.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to all environmental aspects of projects.
• Manage onsite Water Company owned SSSIs.
• Liaise with environmental regulators to obtain consents.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Experience managing environmental aspects

Ability to determine pragmatic outcomes

Passion for the environment

Technical excellence in environmental delivery

Good botanical field identification skills

Proficient IT skills

Knowledge of BNG and UKHabs

Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) control experience

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Location:

Snodland, Kent

Farnborough, Hampshire

Arlington, East Sussex

Summary:

Do you have a passion for environmental stewardship and excellent stakeholder liaison skills?

Do you thrive on collaborating with internal and external partners on environmental and recreation issues?

We are looking for an Environmental Performance Officer - Biodiversity to support the Environment Team Leads. In this role, you will deliver a professional environmental service to the core business and liaise with key external and internal stakeholders on environmental and recreation issues. You will sign off on advice to the wider business to ensure effective management of environmental risk.

Main Responsibilities

• Contribute to all environmental aspects of projects following company strategy and guidance.
• Assist Environmental Leads with the delivery of the environmental performance commitments.
• Assist Environmental Leads with the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).
• Support Environmental Leads and work closely with Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Operational staff to ensure timely delivery of survey work and documentation.
• Work within the business to integrate good biosecurity practices and increase awareness of INNS.
• Manage onsite Water Company owned SSSIs, including signing off reports with Natural England, organizing onsite management, and monitoring compliance with legislation. Collaborate with other regulatory and environmental stakeholders.
• Capture and manage environmental data and update the South East Water environmental asset database.
• Support the business with reactive and emergency environmental advice to minimize environmental impact and reduce the risk of prosecutions.
• Liaise with environmental regulators to obtain consents and advice, reporting back to the business.
• Conduct environmental desktop appraisals and sign off on project delivery elements, providing environmental advice on project progression and sensitivities.

Requirements:

Skills / Qualifications / Experience

• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing environmental aspects and risks across various settings.
• Ability to determine pragmatic outcomes that minimize harm to the environment and communicate these effectively.
• Passion for the environment and ability to work with colleagues, contractors, stakeholders, regulators, and the public.
• Technical excellence in environmental delivery.
• Practical ecological/environmental experience.
• Experience in effective environmental risk management.
• Good botanical field identification skills.
• Proficient IT skills.
• Knowledge of BNG and UKHabs.
• Experience with ArcGIS or similar GIS software.
• Experience in habitat restoration and management, especially in woodland, chalk grassland, and heathland habitats.
• Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) control and biosecurity experience is advantageous but not essential.

Desirable:

• Protected species licences for species such as Great Crested Newt, Bats, and Dormice.
• Qualifications and experience with chainsaw, brush cutter, ride-on mower, and hedge cutter.
• Ability to mentor and inspire team members.
• Report writing and data presentation skills.
• Familiarity with the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• Experience with aquatic environments.
• Project management experience, including budgeting.
• Knowledge of SEA, HRA, and EIA processes.
• Experience working on construction sites.

Benefits:

• Stakeholder pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays, increasing to 6 weeks with service.
• Flexible holiday buy/sell scheme.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing benefits.

We value diversity and are committed to inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and identity. We promote equal opportunities and fair treatment throughout employment and career progression.

Application process:

• Submit your CV via our careers website.
• You must have the legal right to work in the UK.
• Pass background, identity, and employment checks.

If this opportunity interests you, apply now!

Note: Recruitment agencies are asked not to submit CVs unless explicitly invited by our HR team. Unsolicited CVs will not be acknowledged, and we are not responsible for fees.

Salary: Starting from £31,733, dependent on experience.

About Us:

We supply drinking water to 2.3 million customers in southeast England, ensuring high standards through our skilled employees. We aim to meet current and future needs.

What you get:

• Meaningful career development.
• A safe, valued, and trusted work environment.
• Opportunities for personal growth.
• A sense of belonging and authenticity.
• Contributing to a sustainable water supply for the future.