Overview

The counties of Norfolk and Suffolk have a wonderful and diverse natural environment. Features range from wetlands and heathlands to coastal and marine sites, forests, river valleys and estuaries. They are complemented by the deeply rural nature of our agricultural landscapes.

We are privileged to work towards enhancing and managing the environment in these counties, to enable sustainable development and to encourage people to enjoy the countryside and coast.

Our staff are based in offices in Norwich and Cambridge, or are home based. We manage 15 NNRs and have NNR bases at Dersingham Bog, Brancaster, Norfolk Broads, Suffolk Coast and Chippenham Fen.

Job description

Role description

The post holder will play a crucial role in the front-line delivery of marine work for Natural England within an area based team. Key tasks include:
•Support delivery of designations locally including Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), Natura 2000 sites (SACs, SPAs) and extensions and associated stakeholder engagement.

•Support colleagues in review of Conservation Advice packages and site Condition Assessments, helping to ensure they are more accessible, more easily updated and user friendly to stakeholders.

•Support delivery of Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs) in partnership with Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (EIFCA) to ensure commitments under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive are met for the revised approach for fisheries management.

•Support administration of casework according to customer service standards and statutory response times.

•Support administration/ procurement of local delivery of marine monitoring and research projects within budget and timescales.

•Support delivery and administration of marine pollution response in our patch.

•Provide support to the Southern North Sea Network working across two area teams.

•Contribute to other Area Team outcomes as agreed with your Team Leader.

Technical/specialist knowledge/qualifications

•Knowledge of marine and coastal activities relevant to the area and a clear understanding of their potential impacts on marine and coastal processes, habitats and species.

•Knowledge of key marine data sources and ability to interpret them, particularly in relation to benthic data.

•Knowledge of marine habitats and species.

•Competent and experienced in use of information technology including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access and ideally geographical information systems ( ESRI Arc GIS).

•Knowledge of current marine legislative drivers and legislation.

•Experience of marine survey and monitoring and the use of evidence, data analysis and data standards.
Licences
A Driving Licence is desirable for the role but not essential.
Qualifications
Degree / Postgraduate
Competencies
You will be asked to supply evidence of meeting these competencies when you apply.

Professional competency

Securing environmental improvements – Basic

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of marine pressures, impacts, management and mitigation in order to set clear and practical aims for sea users and regulators and/or to inform decisions / actions relating to your role.

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the different types of Marine Protected Areas (MPA), how they are created and their management in order to set clear and practical aims for sea users and regulators and/or to inform decisions / actions relating to your role.

• Provide evidence based advice and expertise using your knowledge of an area of marine biology, ecology and processes or other area of technical expertise that relates to your role.

• Provide evidence-based advice and expertise using your knowledge of marine policy and legislation e.g. Habitats Regulations; Marine & Coastal Access Act, etc.

Professional competency

Communicating effectively – Basic

• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience.

• Confidently communicate and explain the components and importance of our seas to a non-Marine audience.

Professional competency

Collecting, monitoring and analysing data and evidence – Basic

• Handle data and information in accordance with regulations, legislation and Natural England standards.

• Collect, monitor and analyse data and evidence in an appropriate and meaningful way by applying your knowledge of marine survey and monitoring techniques.

Professional competency

Building partnerships – Practitioner

• Use knowledge of sea users, industries and conservation organisations appropriate to your role to improve collaboration, develop rapport and build new partnerships.

Professional competency

Providing customer service – Practitioner

• Take personal responsibility for your interaction with customers by being practical, helpful, trustworthy and impartial.

Professional competency

Work delivery – Practitioner

• Identify, understand and follow the policies, procedures and standards relevant to your work.