Countryside Officer

Salary: £34,834 – £39,186
Job Reference: mkc/TP/238/1144
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37
Closing Date: 29 February, 2024
Location: Bleak Hall, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Job Introduction

We’re seeking someone with an interest in nature to join our Landscape and Countryside Team as
Countryside Officer.

This team sits within Environmental Services Department and works with internal and external
partners, stakeholders, and the public.

You’ll help us to provide ecological input and advice to help ensure the city council meets its
statutory obligations and wider policy objectives to protect and enhance the biodiversity of
Milton Keynes.

Main Responsibility

• Provide clear, timely, accurate and relevant ecological advice on planning applications to
  Development Control.
• Support other MKCC colleagues and departments, senior management, councillors, external
  professionals and the general public on ecological issues.
• Work in partnership with internal and external partners, stakeholders and the public to
  ensure the city council fulfils its statutory and policy responsibilities to protect and
  enhance the natural environment.

The Ideal Candidate

• Enjoys nature for its own sake.
• A good knowledge of legislation relating to nature and biodiversity.
• Experience of commenting on planning applications to ensure the best outcome for
  biodiversity. 
• Able to work and communicate with a range of different audiences.
• For this role you are required to have a full UK driving licence and provide evidence of
  your vehicle insurance with business cover and use of a vehicle. If you are successful, you
  will be required to supply evidence of your licence prior to starting the role.

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits – most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of
  public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday
  purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government
  Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and
  paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a
  low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and
  travel.
• Blue Light Card – employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range
  of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up
to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a
week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the
service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500
people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with
a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to
live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or
preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the
opportunity to make a real difference. 

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the
community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values
of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there
are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at
our short
booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.