Biodiversity Planning Support Officer

We’re looking for a Biodiversity Planning Support Officer to play a key role within
our Biodiversity Planning Team working to ensure that developments across Derbyshire take full
account of wildlife and provide lasting benefits for nature.

In this role, you’ll take responsibility for managing our planning databases and lead on
tracking and monitoring outputs from our work using Salesforce and GIS databases.

You’ll have enough ecological knowledge and experience to respond independently to planning
consultations on a range of protected species, such as bats and reptiles, as well as impacts to
designated sites and important habitats. You will ideally have some knowledge of Biodiversity
Net Gain and will work with colleagues to review biodiversity metrics and biodiversity net gain
plans to help secure the best outcomes for wildlife.

To be successful you will be committed to contributing to nature recovery strategies through
the planning system, have an enthusiasm for learning new skills and developing knowledge, be
innovative and strive for continuous improvement in your work. You’ll be passionate about
getting the best for wildlife, working collaboratively with colleagues to support effectiveness
and accuracy.

What we can offer you: 

• Flexible working options, we have adopted a 9-day working fortnight meaning all full time
  staff get a non-working Friday every fortnight 
• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays, we also have a festive shutdown so all staff
  get the days between Christmas and New Year off in addition to their leave entitlement 
• Climate Perks (extra leave granted for staff using more green, sustainable transport) 
• 9.5% employer pension contribution 
• Electric bike and car salary-sacrifice schemes available 
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Life Assurance Scheme 
• Personalised Development programme designed to enhance your knowledge and progress your
  career 
• A multi-disciplinary business, with opportunities to work on a wide range of projects,
  developing your experience and skills 
• A close-knit, friendly and supportive team, with a relaxed office atmosphere 

About you

This role might be right for you if you:

• Have some experience of carrying out ecological surveys and assessments
• Are knowledgeable and experienced in the management and use of database software have
  knowledge and experience in managing databases (ideally Salesforce, Excel and GIS)
• Can demonstrate some experience / knowledge about the planning system
• Have experience and/or a good understanding of biodiversity metrics and the concept and
  practice of biodiversity net gain.
• Have an understanding of wildlife and environmental legislation

We are happy to talk flexible working!

This role will be based at our office in Middleton although a balance of home and office
working will be allowed. We are a local charity so applicants should be easily able to access
our office and other locations around the county.

Interviews are planned for Tuesday 20th February 2024.

For more information please refer to the job description and key terms attached. If you have
any questions about the role which are not answered in the attached documents, or require
adjustments to the application process, please either email [email protected] or call 01773
881188. 

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

We’re a small charity, with big ideas! We believe that everyone has their part to play in
Nature’s recovery. We are the only organisation in Derbyshire working to protect and enhance
wildlife and wild places throughout the county but through our work with businesses, other
conservation charities, and the public we are mobilising others across the county and the rest
of the UK to act for wildlife. As are a registered Charity, we are supported by 16,000 members
and are part of a movement of 46 Trusts with a collective membership of over 800,000.

Our purpose is to achieve our vision of a Wilder Derbyshire by creating Nature Recovery
Networks and reintroducing lost species. We aim to deliver our vision by leading Nature’s
Recovery, inspiring people, and communities to care and mobilising people to act. All our work
is underpinned by our values.

Our Charity is growing, we currently employ 80 people and, crucially, we are supported by over
500 volunteers. We have three delivery teams; Wilder Landscapes, Wilder Communities and Income
Generation, supported by the Finance and Resources team. Each team has a Department Lead who
reports to the Chief Executive who is responsible for the operations of the Trust and who, in
turn, reports to the Board of Trustees which governs the organisation.

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and believe that everyone should have
access to nature. We expect people to work harmoniously with each other and with volunteers,
and to provide help and guidance to others when needed. As a small charity, our employees need
to be willing to be flexible about working arrangements and willing to provide occasional cover
for absent staff. We want people to develop professionally and personally while working with us
and employees are encouraged to participate in the range of opportunities available to enable
this.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer that strives to be a diverse and
inclusive environment in which everyone is valued. We welcome applications from eligible
candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity,
religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We recognise that our workforce needs to represent the communities and people we work with. We
particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups within Derbyshire Wildlife
Trust and the wider charity and conservation sector, such as people from Black and
Ethnic Minority backgrounds and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

our workforce needs. As a member of the scheme we interview anyone with a disability whose
application meets the essential criteria for the role. You can request this and adjustments
including accessible formats of this vacancy by emailing [email protected]