Local Wildlife Sites Surveyor

Buckinghamshire Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Buckinghamshire Council is seeking a Local Wildlife Sites Surveyor to enhance wildlife site management across the region. The successful candidate will conduct botanical surveys, provide expert advice, and utilize GIS technology, contributing to significant environmental conservation efforts. A flexible work arrangement is available, supporting a balance of office and fieldwork.

Benefits

Health and well-being initiatives

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts on gym memberships and travel

Qualifications

• Five years’ relevant experience in botanical field surveying is preferred.
• Competency in using specialized taxonomic keys for species identification.
• Up-to-date ICT skills and interest in GIS technologies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct botanical and habitat surveys and recommend designations.
• Provide conservation management advice to landowners.
• Use GIS technology to manage and update environmental data.

Skills

Botanical surveying

Species identification

GIS technology

Education

Degree or HND in ecology or related field

Job description

Do you have specialist skills in botanical surveying? Are you keen to speak to landowners about ways to improve their land management practices for the benefit of wildlife? Are you able to present your thoughts and ideas clearly in writing? Do you enjoy working with the latest GIS technology to create high quality maps? If so, the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre (BMERC) has an exciting opportunity for a Local Wildlife Sites Surveyor.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

BMERC is a friendly and professional team, aligned closely with the Council’s Ecology Team. We hold wildlife records of flora and fauna in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes plus information about local sites such as Local Wildlife Sites and Local Geological Sites, Milton Keynes Wildlife Corridors and Road Verge Nature Reserves. We also hold data on NERC Act S41 Habitats of Principal Importance and other important conservation areas such as Biodiversity Opportunity Areas.

The team collects, processes and provides data and we manage an environmental database with currently over 3.6 million records. We also deliver and support projects, train and work with volunteers, advise landowners, and work with stakeholders and counterparts locally and nationally. BMERC is one of 5 environmental specialist teams that sit within the Planning and Environment service. Together we share a passion to protect, promote and manage the unique local natural environment.

Working with us will give you the chance to make a significant and lasting positive impact for the wildlife and people of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, helping us to deliver our conservation objectives across the county. Come and join our fantastic team.

About the role

In this role you will undertake botanical and habitat surveys, reporting on site condition and recommending designation to the Local Wildlife Sites Selection Panel. You will also provide conservation management advice to landowners and stakeholders across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Working with the rest of the team you will provide training, advice and support to colleagues and volunteers alike, promoting the benefits of Local Wildlife Sites and good quality conservation management in a wider forum. You will use the latest GIS technology to capture environmental information and support data processing to keep the BMERC environmental database up to date.

The role is currently based at Council Offices in Aylesbury. Flexible working is available, and you can be based at home up to 3 days per week. The successful candidate will need to work across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes including regular site visits. A full driving license and use of own vehicle is essential.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

The successful applicant will be self-motivated and confident to work alone in the field as well as in the office. You will have a degree / HND (or equivalent) in ecology or a related field, or at least five years’ relevant experience especially with botanical field surveying. You will also enjoy species identification, the use of specialised taxonomic keys and liaising with county recorders and experts.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, passionate and ambitious about their role in respect to wildlife conservation and biological recording. You will also be committed to working collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders and the public to secure the best outcomes. You will have up to date ICT skills and an interest in utilising the latest GIS technologies.

You will have a full driving licence to enable you to effectively undertake survey work across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes and will be able to prioritise and organise your work to ensure deadlines are met.

Other information

This is a full-time, permanent position.

Closing Date: 6th July

We expect to notify shortlisted applicants and conduct interviews in July. Interviews will be held in-person and will consist of:

• A field-based exercise to test your surveying skills
• An in-person interview

For an informal chat about this role in more detail, please contact Eliza Alqassar, Natural, Historic & Built Environment Manager on 01296 383798

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.