Biodiversity Officer

We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.

Organisation: Kirklees

Directorate: Place

Service Area: Development

Hours: 37

Number of Jobs: 1

Location(s): Civic Centre 1, Huddersfield, HD1 2NF

Position type: Permanent

Grade: Grade 10-11

The successful postholder is eligible for a Retention Payment (agreed on a recurring annual basis).

Are you looking for an opportunity to work as a Biodiversity Officer and make a difference within Kirklees, whilst still being able to develop your career and have a good work-life balance?

At Kirklees, we want to be innovative and creative in the way we work to deliver our service to our communities. We know significant challenges are ahead for the environment and have an opportunity for a Biodiversity Officer to help address these within the Planning and Development Management service, focused on protecting and enhancing the varied wildlife of this part of West Yorkshire through delivery of the Kirklees Local Plan.

An exciting opportunity has opened for a Biodiversity Officer to work as part of a small team to provide professional advice, guidance, interpretation, and evaluation of pre-planning enquiries, planning applications, and appeals in relation to biodiversity issues.

We are looking to appoint an experienced individual at Grade 10-11; the ideal candidate will have/is:

1. A relevant qualification in ecology or related subject, and/or experience in the field.
2. Experience of dealing with biodiversity and wildlife conservation in relation to Development Management.
3. Knowledgeable on wildlife law, policy, and procedures relating to Development Management.
4. Experience in undertaking and interpreting biodiversity net gain assessments including the completion of a Defra based biodiversity metric.
5. Strong IT skills to support working with packages such as Word, Excel, and Access as well as specific IT packages.
6. Strong written communication skills to be able to produce clear reports and documentation.
7. Strong numeracy skills to be able to perform accurate financial and arithmetical calculations.
8. The ability to demonstrate excellent customer service and excellent interpersonal skills at all times.
9. An excellent team player and works hard to direct and contribute to team goals.
10. The ability to work flexibly including occasional evenings.
11. Knowledge of ecosystem services and interrelationships with other services and departments. Good knowledge of wider sector/external influences.
12. Experience of partnership working.
13. Experience of representing ecology and biodiversity to external audiences.
14. Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

If you are interested in a very varied role which gives you the opportunity to use your knowledge and experience to contribute to the ever-growing Planning and Development Management division in Kirklees, please apply below!

This posting may end earlier than the closing date shown if we receive suitable applications.

Helen Bower is the manager for this role; please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion or if you need any more information.

We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description, please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email: jobs@kirklees.gov.uk or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.