Address
Form of workAre you passionate about restoring biodiversity to the local area?
An exciting opportunity to join our West Oxfordshire District Council as a Biodiversity Officer. You will lead on providing high quality and robust ecological advice, in order to enhance biodiversity in new developments, whilst being a cog in delivering nature recovery, aligned with our climate change and sustainability priorities, across the area.
This permanent role offers the flexibility of working within the offices at Witney and agile working, allowing you that extra freedom and work life balance.
Are you interested in taking the next stage in your career through environmental conservation? Or are you already a Biodiversity Officer, who is experienced in providing sound environmental guidance? If so we would love to hear from you.
Our environmental service is fundamental to the success of the council’s ambition for the future and are passionate about safeguarding and restoring biodiversity in the areas. Our focus is to create great places for people to live, work, learn and enjoy in our ever expanding and evolving communities. Now is a fantastic time to be joining us. We are looking to deliver upon our council priorities and shape our growth potential for the benefit of the local area and beyond.
We are looking for a passionate Biodiversity Officer to join our team to ensure the Council is ready for its duties under the Environment Act 2021 in relation to biodiversity net gain. You will lead on providing high quality and robust ecological advice, surrounding Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitats Regulations, in relation to Development Management issues (including enforcement and appeals). You will also contribute to the evidence base and guidance supporting the local plan review
You will work with a variety of different stakeholders, including developers, planning agents, ecological consultants, local communities, other customers and partners to protect and enhance biodiversity in new developments and elsewhere and to deliver nature recovery across the area, through an innovative and practical solutions based approach.
You will ensure that planning applications not only safeguard biodiversity but also maximise opportunities for net gain and nature recovery. You will also have the opportunity to take a strategic view by helping shape future planning policy on biodiversity, green infrastructure and natural capital.
Ultimately we are looking for a proficient Biodiversity Officer, with prospect of handling senior biodiversity projects, but we would also welcome applications from candidates looking to step up in their career. Fundamentally, we want to give you the tools to support you, harness your potential and grow within your role long term.
You will need
• Postgraduate qualification in your area of expertise, or equivalent to a degree or relevant experience of 2 years in a related biodiversity role.
• Membership of CIEEM (or eligibility for membership)
• At least 1 years’ experience in working within the planning system, within an ecological context.
• Good communication and negotiation skills.
• Experience of applying a biodiversity net gain approach and considering natural capital and green infrastructure.
What can we do for you?
• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of 5% of your earnings
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Access to digital financial advice (covering your pension scheme, mortgages and other finances)
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
• Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
To apply for this position please click on "apply now" within this page and submit your CV and supporting statement. Please tell us about your skills, knowledge, qualifications, experience and how they meet the criteria listed above and in the job description/person specification. It’s important that we’re a good fit for each other, so let us know what’s important to you and why you want to work for Publica Group Ltd. Your application will not be considered if you have not provided a supporting statement, in addition to your CV.
Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people and children. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.
