Overview

Hampshire County Council is looking for an experienced ecologist to join their highly regarded Ecology Team at a time of exciting development for the authority’s services, as the Council continues to expand its provision of in-house specialist environmental services across a varied multi-million-pound capital programme of development and improvement schemes.

Our expansion gives an innovative and enthusiastic professional ecologist an opportunity to take a leading role in ensuring development within Hampshire meets the highest standard and contributes to the conservation of biodiversity. You will take a lead in the planning functions and development schemes of the County Council and other public sector organisations whilst maintaining the work/life balance you have always wanted.

You will use your specialist knowledge to design and implement ecological assessments (including desk- and field-based assessments, Environmental Statements and Habitats Regulations Assessments), design innovative solutions to mitigate ecological impacts and ensure that ecological enhancements are embedded within development schemes.  The role also includes responsibility for providing expert advice to the County Council and district/borough planning authorities on planning applications and local plan work.

You should have an appropriate degree/professional qualification and relevant experience, including demonstrable expertise in survey design and programming, ecological impact assessment and mitigation strategies. A confident understanding of planning process and environmental legislation is essential.

Your Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Lead Ecologist the role holder will provide technical ecological advice, to ensure that development is in accordance with corporate objectives for sustainable development and biodiversity and to support the Lead Ecologist as the SLA liaison officer with the relevant local planning authorities.

Your Role Responsibilities:

The key decision making areas in the role

  • Provide specialist advice to assist in the development and preparation of policies within local plans/frameworks and other initiatives relating to development and biodiversity. Including support to Habitat Regulations Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal of local plan documents.
  • Assess and advise on proposed developments to ensure full consideration is given to ecological matters by the Council and other local authorities so that corporate objectives for biodiversity are achieved. This includes: assessment and advice on Local Plans/Development Frameworks; assessment and advice on planning applications; screening and scoping for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA); and assistance with Appropriate Assessments.
  • Provide necessary support and advice at planning appeals, inquiries and hearings
  • Provide assessment and provision of advice on Council development and other local authority development (internal and external)
  • Undertake surveys, assessments & give advice on Protected Species
  • Provide training, briefings and advice to other officers, Councillors and other local authorities
  • Monitor developments to ensure compliance with relevant ecological conditions and obligations.
  • Assist with the development of databases and other systems to support the Group’s work.
  • Provide advice to a wide range of colleagues and organisations, internally and externally to ensure that the council’s objectives for sustainable development and responsibilities to biodiversity are met.
  • Remain continually up-to-date of all relevant legislation, appropriate guidance,  national standards and policies and other good practice relating to sustainable development and biodiversity.
  • Maintain awareness of County planning policies, and of health and safety policies, and ensure these are applied.
Your Role Requirements:

Essential Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience: 

  • Educated to degree level in a relevant area, or ability and experience to operate at degree level.
  • Some previous post graduate relevant experience
  • Good knowledge and understanding of ecology, habitat management and restoration, survey methodologies and mitigation strategies
  • Good understanding of the principles of SEA, EIA and HRA and the application of the supporting legislation
  • Good understanding of the principles and application of planning policies and environmental legislation
  • Holds or is eligible to hold bat, dormouse or great crested newt survey licences
  • Project management skills
  • IT skills  – including GIS, MS Word and Access
  • Current driving license, and ability to meet the travel requirements of the role
  • Ability to manage own workload and effectively contribute to the team
  • Communication skills with a high standard of written and oral presentation

Desirable Qualifications Knowledge, Skills and Experience: 

  • Full Member of IEEM, or eligible for full membership
  • Knowledge/experience of Phase one habitat surveys and protected species surveys
  • Has recently obtained Natural England Development License
  • Experience of the preparation of impact assessments and mitigation strategies
Your Working Conditions:

The following section provides an outline of the working conditions that may be encountered in this role:

  • Handling operations: Monthly moving of Objects Over 15 kg
  • Display Screen Equipment use
  • Job characteristics: Night work (11pm to 6am)
  • Work environment: Working in or over water, Sun exposure, Lone working, Working in or with traffic, Outdoor work
  • Wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Driving: Hampshire County Council badged vehicle, Own vehicle for work purposes
  • Contact with biological hazards: Animals / birds / reptiles, *Aflatoxins, Moulds / Fungi such as mouldy vegetable matter / bird handling, Soil
  • Type of contact: handling bats, reptiles and amphibians, undertaking site surveys in loft spaces, and outdoor work

*As part of the pre-employment checks that are undertaken for this role, you will be asked to complete a Pre-Employment Medical Questionnaire. The questionnaire is confidential, and is screened by our Occupational Health Department, who will ensure that you are medically fit for this role before being formally offered the position.

Senior Ecologist (SLA Liaison) HCC13739
Salary: £32,752 – £36,862 per annum
Work Location: Winchester
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 11 August 2019

Contact details for an informal discussion:

Megan Owen, Lead Ecologist 01962 832317

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Corporate Equalities Employment Policy:  In order to combat indirect discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied to any for achieving equality of opportunity in its employment practices. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, disability, age, ethnic or national origin, marital status, creed, sexuality, trade union activity or responsibility for dependants unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification (GOQ) applies. In order to combat indirect discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied to which would have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group.