Overview

Full-time (37 hours per week) – Salary: Band 8 (£36,528 – £39,567)

Part-time (15 hours per week) – Salary: Band 6 (£30,435 – £32,972 FTE)

Flexible working hours can be considered

Eastleigh Borough Council is an ambitious and progressive council. We are recognised for our innovation and achievements, whilst delivering high-quality service to our customers and the community. At Eastleigh, enhancing and protecting our environment is an area of major strategic importance as this makes up one of our key corporate priorities.

We are looking for experienced Ecologists that have a good understanding of practical wildlife conservation and the changing legislative framework with Biodiversity Net Gain, nutrient budgeting, etc. You will have experience with the implementation of a Biodiversity Action Plan and will have worked within a team of planning professionals and developers in protecting and mitigating the effects of development upon wildlife.

You will need demonstrable experience of commissioning surveys and reports, providing advice on a variety of biodiversity matters, including Habitat Regulations and Sustainable Drainage issues, and providing consultee advice including recommendations of conditions for specific planning applications.

The Band 6 role will focus on a large-scale development project whereas the senior role will advise on the more complex planning sites and devise strategies and set targets and actions to ensure biodiversity delivery in the Borough.

Post holders will represent the Council at various external forums, to share information and enable collaborative working, including working with adjacent authorities and statutory/non-statutory partners. You will also need the knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to represent the Council on ecological matters in court for planning appeals, etc.

It is essential that you are able to understand, interpret and communicate European and British law related to ecology and provide and maintain up-to-date ecological data to ensure compliance with legal requirements and the NPPF.

Successful candidates will need to be educated to degree level and have experience in working in a specialist area. A good understanding of ecological survey and monitoring methodologies and mitigation measures is also required, as are excellent report-writing skills with a focus on quality and attention to detail.

Membership of a relevant professional body or working towards membership is desirable.

If you are excited by this opportunity and feel you have the skills, experience and attitude we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

At Eastleigh, we are committed to supporting and developing all our staff and creating a culture that is inclusive, innovative and enjoyable. We offer excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and support our staff in maintaining a good work/life balance through our innovative flexi time system. We also have excellent package of benefits, including:

25-28 days’ annual leave dependent on service
Flexible working arrangements and ability to accrue up to 2 days’ additional flexi leave per month (subject to operational requirements)
Defined benefit pension scheme
Places Leisure, Eastleigh – 30% off full membership
Confidential employee advice and support programme
Car and season ticket loans
Excellent working environment
Support for continuous professional development
Good work/life balance
For an informal discussion, please contact Louise O’Driscoll, Head of Operations on 023 8068 8248 or Sarah Boyd, Ecology Specialist on 023 8068 8064.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: Monday 4 May 2020

Interview dates: Wednesday 13 May 2020 and Friday 15 May 2020 (please note that interviews may take place online)