Ecologist | Winchester

The Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC) is part of a large, integrated, multi-disciplinary team offering a range of specialist environmental services to the County Council and other public authorities. HBIC brings together information on Hampshire’s natural environment and works with a wide range of partner organisations involved in the supply and use of biodiversity data.

Reporting to the HBIC Data Manager, a highly motivated and organised individual is required for the collation, management, verification and provision of biodiversity data, the screening of planning applications and liaison with local recorders and species recording groups We are looking for someone with a strong work ethic, flexible attitude, and the ability to confidently engage with a wide range of contacts at all levels.

Applicants should have an appropriate degree or professional qualification; relevant post graduate experience; a good understanding and keen interest of ecology, habitats, species and nature conservation practice; and strong IT skills including experience in biodiversity data handling, GIS and Access databases. Knowledge and experience of using MapMate, Recorder and Living Record are all highly desirable.

We offer a range of family-friendly policies including flexible working and a generous annual leave entitlement.

Please note the role will include occasional weekend and evening events.

Reporting to the Senior Ecologist (HBIC Data Manager) the role holder will support HBIC in the assembly, management, interpretation and dissemination of relevant and up to date information on Hampshire’s biodiversity to enable the County Council and partner organisations to fulfil their statutory obligations and environmental policies with regard to sustainable development and stewardship of the environment

The key decision making areas in the role:

• Respond to enquiries for biodiversity data by extracting, analysing, interpreting and providing relevant data.
• Provide a primary point of contact for information and advice on a range of wildlife matters including protected species legislation and survey requirements.
• Support the maintenance of information held by HBIC by verifying, inputting and interpreting accurate data into HBIC’s biological databases and GIS.
• Collate and incorporate datasets from other organisations and assist in the development of databases for specific sets of information.
• Assess District planning lists to highlight potential impacts on priority habitats, notable species and designated sites and alert the relevant authorities.
• Develop partnerships and links across a range of organisations including volunteer species recording groups to ensure support for the Centre and its work and bring in new datasets to increase knowledge of the County’s biodiversity.
• Promote an understanding of the work of the Centre through the production of materials, presentations, representation on appropriate bodies, and the organising of events, seminars and training courses.
• Give due consideration to health and safety, equalities and sustainability and ensure these are applied in all working practices and in the workplace.

The role dimensions – financial (e.g. budgets) and non-financial (e.g. units, workload, customers/staff):

• Responding to 300-400 data requests/year with assessment of appropriate charges and income generation £60K
• Screening 6000-7000 planning applications/year
• Manage databases and GIS and importing c400,000 species records/year
• Supervise the work of graduate volunteers and student placements

The main contacts – external/internal customer contacts and purpose:

• Internal –across WPE, Highways,  Property Services and Countryside Service
• External – through SLAs with Hampshire’s local planning authorities, South Downs National Park, New Forest National Park, Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Hampshire Wildlife Trust,
• External non-SLA work – consultancies, developers, utilities, landowners, parishes, local groups, students, public and a network of volunteer recorders.

HBIC has to deliver accurate, up-to-date information to its funding partners as well as responding to an increasing number of enquiries from consultants, members of the public etc., all within a set timeframe. The pressure to deliver can be considerable particularly when staff are on leave or posts are vacant.

Whilst the generic role profile sets out the broad range of skills required at this level, what will make this role successful is how it delivers the role in the two key areas set out below

Relationship management and communication

• Ability to be able to communicate in a clear manner, and maintain constructive relationships with internal and external clients and partners.

Creativity and commercial acumen

• The role holder will be expected to work flexibly across the service stream as the demands of workload, projects and priorities dictate

• An appropriate environmental degree or professional qualification
• Relevant post graduate work experience
• Good understanding of ecology, habitats, species, and nature conservation practice
• Knowledge of the application of data to user needs including those of local government, statutory agencies, and the voluntary sector
• Management of biodiversity data
• Excellent IT skills – including MS Office and GIS, preferably ArcMap
• Communication skills with a high standard of written and oral presentation
• Project management skills
• Ability to manage own workload and contribute effectively to the team

• Working knowledge of Recorder & MapMate databases
• Eligibility for full membership of CIEEM

• Display Screen Equipment: Desktop PC and Laptop
• Occasional site visits or visits to other organisations offices for meetings
• Driving: HCC pool vehicle and own vehicle for work purposes

Wolfgang Ritter, HBIC Data manager on 01962 832324 or Wolfgang.ritter@hants.gov.uk