Biodiversity Officer

Are you passionate about restoring biodiversity to the local area?

An exciting opportunity to join our Cotswold 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 Cirencester 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 a
sustainable future, and we are passionate on leading on our climate and ecological emergencies
in the area. From our Cotswold Garden Village under development in Cirencester to the
development of Cotswold Airport in Kemble, our focus is to enable our communities in the
Cotswold district and beyond to thrive, creating great places for people to live, work, learn
and enjoy in our ever-evolving communities.

We want our future generations to thrive too and are serious in tackling issues concerning
climate and environmental emergencies to planning propositions. 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 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, 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 have an informal discussion about this role, please contact Sophia Price via
[email protected]

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

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled
applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy – 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.