Ecologist & BNG Officer

About the role

Central Bedfordshire Council is looking to appoint an Ecologist 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.

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.

About you

You will have a degree in Ecology or a relevant equivalent qualification with knowledge of ecological field survey techniques and demonstrable experience of interpreting technical reports, legislation and policy and presenting clear, balanced advice to a range of audiences. Experience of providing technical advice for Ecology in relation to a variety of planning applications is essential. Membership of a professional body such as CIEEM is desirable.

Main Purpose of the Role

• To act as a specialist adviser in relation to Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain, providing technical advice both internally and externally.
• To provide technical advice to Planning on Ecological matters.
• To provide conservation advice and the development of best practice in relation to planning and nature recovery projects.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Comment on consultation responses on planning applications (including major applications), and other proposals where there are potential impacts on biodiversity/ ecology, as part of the Development Management process.
• Provide ecological advice to assist in the development and preparation of policies within local plans/frameworks and other initiatives relating to development and biodiversity, including support to Biodiversity Net Gain, Habitat Regulations Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal of local plan documents.
• Undertaking site visits and ecological surveys, including monitoring BNG and Council owned sites.
• Monitoring long term Mineral and Waste Restoration Plans.
• To work with other teams within the service, other council services and partners to develop and implement opportunities to conserve the natural environment.
• Input into the development and creation of habitats banks on council land. To identify land appropriate for habitat banks. To include habitat surveying when necessary, creation of HMMP and engagement with legal processes.
• Protected Species: provide advice and assessment in respect of Protected Species, including licencing. Undertake surveys for other departments as required.
• To represent the Council where appropriate on external partnerships such as: Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants, Bedfordshire County Wildlife Sites Panel, Bedfordshire Recording & Monitoring Centre, and at external meetings, regional and sub-regional networks and with external bodies on biodiversity matters as appropriate.
• Plan, co-ordinate and supervise occasional related activity undertaken by third parties eg. external consultants, local recording groups or conservation volunteers.
• To act as an expert witness (Ecology) at hearings and inquiries and to the courts as necessary, providing proofs of evidence.
• Resolve queries and complaints from the general public, user groups, elected members, local MPs, developers and landowners relating to biodiversity and wildlife matters and provide general guidance and advice in respect of the Council’s Biodiversity Duty.
• To maintain professional development in relation to own specialist technical area and the natural environment more broadly.
• To provide or facilitate appropriate training and education for members, staff and the public in connection with the natural environment.
• To provide input and support to the wider technical team to deliver nature recovery projects.

Other information

Please apply via the following link: Ecologist & BNG Officer Job Details | Central Bedfordshire Council

Closing Date: 20th September

Shortlisted applicants will be notified and interviewed from the week commencing 21^st September. Interviews are in-person and may include a test.

For further details, contact Alex Fraser, Ecologist, on 07356 138309 or email Alexandra.Fraser2@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk