Overview

Hours: Full time
Location: Hampshire, South East England
Job type: Contract
Job reference: 39957
Closing date: 01 March 2020

Purpose of the Job

  • To lead on the protection and enhancement of biodiversity (species and habitats) in line with current legislation, principally via development of protected areas management plans and input to Forest Plans (FPs) in the East of the district;
  • To lead on the provision of ecological advice (concerning protected and priority species and habitats) to colleagues across the East of the district and support/enable the compilation and delivery of planned operational programmes via the Operational Site Assessment (OSA) Process;
  • To communicate and liaise with stakeholders regarding our commitments to the environment and nature conservation legislation;
  • To support Senior Ecologist with project delivery

Key Work Areas:

Evolving our offer

  • Liaise with Foresters to give ecological advice on specific issues, including support for delivery of SSSI plans – work with the beat teams to ensure conservation budgets are planned and work is organised for the year.
  • Provide ecological input to Operational Site Assessments (OSAs), submitting advice and comments for OSAs.
  • Liaise with Natural England over the SSSI Condition Monitoring.
  • Provide ecological support to the Civil Engineering team and the Recreation team.
  • Set up and manage survey contracts and operational delivery projects.
    Increasing our commercial value
  • Link with stakeholder groups to support their survey work and help engage them.
  • Provide ecological support to the Estates team e.g. planning applications, post-minerals restoration projects, infrastructure upgrades, development mitigation and biodiversity offsetting opportunities.
  • Identify projects in readiness for funding opportunities becoming available across our forest estate.
  • Manage existing conservation projects and provide support as required for new projects.

Engaging our customers

  • Represent FE at events and steering groups in the east of the District.
  • Attend all team and district meetings.
  • Build and maintain good relations with partners in statutory and NGO conservation organisations.
  • Build and maintain better links with local academia to support the sustainable management of the public forest estate.
  • Support the beat teams with assistance in organising volunteering days.

Experience

Essential

  • At least 5 years’ experience of working in the environmental management sector.
  • Degree or equivalent in Ecology or Environmental Management.
  • Sound knowledge and understanding of ecology.
  • Experience working with local stakeholder groups, including: landowners; non-governmental organisations; charities; local government.
  • Experience of setting up and managing contracts.
  • Experience of providing ecological advice to a wide audience.
  • An effective communicator, both written and verbally.
  • Competent in IT – Microsoft Office, Arc GIS mapping software.
  • Experience of writing and delivering SSSI plans.
  • Sound knowledge of the application of environmental legislation to project planning and delivery.
  • Experience in running consultations with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable

  • Experience of interpreting scientific records and reports for a wide range of audiences.
  • Understanding of protected species and the forestry sector.
  • Experience of presenting on wildlife topics, dealing with media and public engagement activities.
  • Experience of interpreting strategies and developing them into practical plans for delivery.
  • An understanding of UK Forestry Standards and UKWAS certification.
  • Experience of setting up and delivering monitoring programmes.
  • Understanding of species reintroduction projects.
  • Knowledge of and experience in delivering practical Natural Flood Management.
  • Member of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.