Client: Local Authority
Job Title: Senior Biodiversity Officer
Location: Gloucestershire 1 day per week
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 20 hours per week
Salary: £400 per day Umbrella LTD Inside IR35
Start Date: ASAP
About the Role: We are working with a local authority to recruit a Senior Biodiversity Officer to join their Development Management team based in Gloucester one day per week. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced ecological professional to play a pivotal role in protecting and enhancing the district’s rich and diverse biodiversity heritage.
In this role, you’ll lead on complex biodiversity matters relating to planning applications and provide expert guidance on biodiversity net gain (BNG), protected species, and statutory nature conservation policies. You’ll also line-manage junior biodiversity officers and liaise with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide expert advice to planners, councillors, and developers on biodiversity and wildlife legislation
- Lead on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) implementation and policy advice
- Assess planning applications and produce formal written recommendations and planning conditions
- Prepare screening opinions, appropriate assessments, and appeal statements as required
- Assist with enforcement actions related to biodiversity impacts
- Represent the council at planning and enforcement appeals and public inquiries
- Review and manage hedgerow removal applications
- Support and manage the workload of junior biodiversity staff
- Develop and deliver biodiversity guidance and advisory material for the council’s website
- Attend Planning Committee and site visits as required
- Extensive experience in biodiversity and ecological planning advisory roles
- In-depth understanding of UK and European environmental legislation
- Knowledge of protected species, designated sites, habitat creation and management, and ecological survey techniques
- Membership of CIEEM and ALGE (or working towards)
- Management experience or a relevant leadership qualification (or willingness to work towards one)
- Excellent written, verbal, and IT skills
- Ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload independently
- A creative and problem-solving mindset with attention to detail
- Full UK driving licence and flexibility to work outside normal hours when required
We look forward to hearing from you!
