Overview

An exciting new role has been created to help deliver the East Hampshire District Council’s duty to secure Biodiversity Net Gain through development. You will be part of the Council’s Heritage, Arboriculture and Ecology Team, working with and supporting the Council’s Principal Ecologist.

The role assists the Development Management and Planning Policy teams by providing specialist advice to our planners to ensure that ecological matters are given due weight in the planning process and that decisions are fully informed by your knowledge and experience. The core of the role will be supporting the team’s development management casework by prioritising responses to planning applications, reviewing Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, contributing to the preparation of planning policy documents and supporting the monitoring of biodiversity net gain obligations secured through the planning process.

The natural environment of East Hampshire supports a wealth of wildlife, from nationally and internationally recognised wildlife sites, such as the Wealden Heaths Phase II Special Protection Area to the only site in the country to support all 12 native amphibian and reptile species. Nearly 60% of the District encompasses the South Downs National Park with iconic hanger woodlands, chalk streams and flower-rich chalk grasslands.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual who will support the Principal Ecologist to deliver a forward thinking ecological and biodiversity service. You will be able to demonstrate a good level of understanding and experience in assessing the ecological implications of development proposals as well as a good knowledge of terrestrial biodiversity and knowledge of species, habitats and designated sites in the UK context. Knowledge and experience of ecological surveying is also essential along with an understanding of scientific method, interpretation of ecological data and evidence-based reporting.

You will possess good communication skills (written and spoken) and the ability to respond confidently in a variety of situations. Overall, you will have a proven track record of working within the ecology / biodiversity sector, be an enthusiastic and motivated individual who cares passionately about the natural environment and what we need to do to protect and enhance it.

This position would suit someone who wants to help make a difference, is motivated by having a diverse and varied workload and enjoys working with colleagues, councillors, residents and partners.

For an informal discussion please contact Julia Nethercott, Principal Ecologist, on 07738 883381 or Julia.Nethercott@easthants.gov.uk