Assistant Biodiversity Officer

Assistant Biodiversity Officer (Biodiversity Officer)

£26,190 – £38,916 (Subject to level of experience) – Full Time, Permanent 

Are you interested in a career through environmental conservation?

An exceptional opportunity to join Forest of Dean District Council as a Biodiversity Officer.
You will supervise on providing high quality and robust ecological advice in order to enhance
biodiversity in new developments, whilst assisting in delivering nature recovery, aligned to
our climate change and sustainability priorities, across the area.

This permanent role offers the flexibility of working within the offices at Coleford and agile
working, allowing you that extra freedom and work life balance.

Are you passionate about restoring biodiversity to the local area? 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 we are passionate about safeguarding and restoring biodiversity in the area. Our
focus is to enable our communities in the Forest to thrive, create great places for people to
live, work, learn and enjoy. We want our future generations to thrive too and are serious in
tackling the climate and nature emergencies. Now is a fantastic time to be joining us. We are
looking to deliver upon our council priorities and shape our environment 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 assist 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 work with a variety of different stakeholders, including planning officer colleagues,
developers, planning agents, ecological consultants, environmental organisations and the local
community 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 grow in
the role, to take a strategic view by helping shape future planning policy on biodiversity,
green infrastructure and natural capital.

Ultimately, we are looking for someone, who wants to grow within their role long term and would
suit someone who has recently graduated or has related ecology experience. We want to give you
the tools to support you, harness your potential and provide more responsibility within your
role long term.

You will need

• Qualifications to Postgraduate level or equivalent in a relevant subject
• Knowledge and understanding of biodiversity conservation and enhancement, including
  legislation, designated sites, and biodiversity survey and assessment
• Experience and/or understanding of implementing nature strategies and projects in
  partnership with a wide range of stakeholders 
• Enthusiasm for and an interest in biodiversity conservation and enhancement
• Effective communication skills with a wide range of customers and others

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
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with huge tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• 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 the “Find out more & apply” button to complete an
application form and supporting statement together with your CV. 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 CV will not be available to the hiring manager unless you are shortlisted for interview to
assist with our non-biased screening process so please ensure you complete the application form
in full.

It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome
and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black,
Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.

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.