Consultant Ecologist

Osborne Richardson has an interesting opportunity for a Principal Ecology Officer to join a very busy local authority in Oxfordshire for a part-time contract role.
You will take responsibility for assessing the environmental impacts of proposed planning applications, providing pre -planning advice, agreeing discharge of conditions, and compiling suitable responses and reports to the Planning Department. You may be required on occasion to carry out site visits to assess suitability of ecological assessments submitted with planning applications and liaise and negotiate with planners, solicitors, agents, applicants and members of the public over biodiversity issues.
You will also lead the production of a Biodiversity Strategy for our client, with a view to helping to protect and enhance the borough's fauna, flora, and ecological networks. This Strategy will play an important role in meeting the Council's enhanced biodiversity duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.
Strong communication skills are essential as you will act as a point of contact for all matters requiring ecological advice. On a daily basis you will be dealing with senior managers, a wide range of stakeholders and the general public, explaining complex and new approaches to ecology within development management and policy development.
The successful candidate must have a relevant degree or equivalent in ecology or a related environmental discipline. Experience of working for a local authority would be beneficial, but is not essential. You must have experience in assessing the environment impacts of planning development.
This will initially be a 6 month contract and it is a part-time role offering 3 days a week.
The rate offered is £45-£50/hr Umbrella depending on your experience. This will be a hybrid role which is predominantly home based, though you will be required to attend site visits as and when required.
For more information please get in touch.