Assistant Biodiversity Officer

Are you interested in a career through environmental conservation?

An exceptional opportunity to join West Oxfordshire District Council as an Assistant
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 Witney 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 West Oxfordshire area 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 Assistant 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 (excellent verbal
  and written skills)

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

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
• Cycle to work scheme
• 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
• Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary
• These are just a handful of the benefits that you can enjoy when you join us!

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.