Biodiversity Technical Officer

1

South West

Bridgwater

Staff Grade 4

Permanent

Full Time, Part Time

Environment & Sustainability, Operational Delivery, Science

£29,706

Using your technical biodiversity experience and influencing skills you will help us protect and enhance the diverse habitats and wildlife of Wessex North to ensure development is sustainable and to deliver landscape-scale environmental outcomes. You will work to integrate benefits for wildlife and people into innovative flood risk management solutions.

Additionally, you will:

• Screen and advise on Environment Agency programmes, plans and projects for biodiversity impacts to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
• Identify opportunities to deliver multiple benefits through natural flood management practices while working with natural processes to deliver flood risk management.
• Proactively integrate biodiversity enhancements into Environment Agency plans and strategies.
• Provide advice on Environment Agency permits, consents, licences and planning applications to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystems are protected and, where relevant, enhanced.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

We’re looking for candidates with enthusiasm and the right skills to succeed in the role. It’s not necessary to have experience of working in the Environment Agency. Training and support will be provided. For more information about working for the Environment Agency and what we do visit our careers page environmentagencycareers.co.uk

The team covers Somerset, South Gloucester, Bristol and Bath which contains a fascinating range of nationally and internationally important wildlife sites including the unique landscape of the Somerset Levels and Moors. The team works with internal clients to advise on flood risk management schemes and best practise when managing assets in the environment. In addition, it is involved with environmental programmes and partnership working to deliver priority habitat creation, river restoration projects and planning advice.

You’ll have a positive approach, a desire to work collaboratively and be dedicated to your personal and professional development which we fully encourage and support.

You will have well-developed communication skills, great customer focus and have the confidence to build effective relationships with external partners and internal teams.

You will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Good knowledge of biodiversity, water dependent habitats and species and their ecological requirements.
• Educated to degree level in an appropriate environmental discipline, or equivalent practical work experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Water Framework Directive and other environmental legislation.
• A proven track record of on-the-ground delivery and of working effectively with others.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively to maximise the delivery of outcomes.

Most importantly, you need a passion to develop a career which will create a better place for people and wildlife.

For further information on this role, the employee benefits, and the work of the Environment Agency, please download the candidate pack.

The role is based at Rivers House, Bridgwater office, with flexible working arrangements in place to support your work/life balance. This role does involve travel across the area and work in the field. A full UK driving licence is essential.

We’re looking for applicants who believe that having a truly diverse, representative, and engaged workforce is fundamental to protect the environment and effectively serve our communities.

For more information about the role please contact Matt Horrobin, Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology Team Leader by email: matthew.horrobin@environment-agency.gov.uk