Biodiversity Officer

Are 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.

If you wish to arrange an informal discussion about this role, please contact recruitment on
01285 623319.

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
• 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 apply button below 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.