Biodiversity Officer (Planning)

Hangingheaton; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority based in Huddersfield is seeking a Lead Biodiversity Officer to join their Development Management team. This role is pivotal in protecting and enhancing wildlife through the Kirklees Local Plan. The successful candidate will have a strong background in ecology and biodiversity, excellent communication skills, and the ability to provide professional advice on planning applications. This full-time position offers a competitive salary, retention payment, and hybrid work options.

Benefits

Retention payment of £3,000 annually

Generous leave entitlement

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in ecology or related subject.
• Experience in wildlife conservation related to Development Management.
• Strong written communication skills for report production.

Responsibilities

• Support the conception and delivery of Kirklees Local Plan.
• Provide advice and evaluation on pre-planning enquiries.
• Contribute to team goals as an excellent team player.

Skills

Ecology knowledge

Wildlife law knowledge

IT skills (Word, Excel, Access)

Written communication

Numeracy skills

Customer service

Team collaboration

Flexibility in work hours

Ecosystem services understanding

Interpersonal skills

Education

Qualification in ecology or related field

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

Job description

The successful postholder is eligible for a retention payment of £3,000 agreed on a recurring annual basis, split into 2 separate payments once eligible.

Kirklees Council has an exciting opportunity for a lead Biodiversity Officer / Ecologist to join the Development Management team based in Huddersfield (Hybrid – home and office work). You will be working on a full-time, permanent basis and will receive a competitive salary, generous leave entitlement, and flexible working, amongst other things.

About the Post

This is an exciting time to join the Kirklees Council Development Management team. Our Kirklees Local Plan is currently being updated and you will have an opportunity to protect and enhance the varied wildlife of this wonderful part of West Yorkshire through the conception and delivery of the Kirklees Local Plan, helping to gather evidence and formulate planning policies for the future. You will also work as part of a small team to provide professional advice, guidance, interpretation and evaluation of pre‑planning enquiries, planning applications, and appeals in relation to biodiversity and ecology issues.

Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant qualification in ecology or related subject, and/or experience in the field.
• Experience of dealing with biodiversity and wildlife conservation in relation to Development Management.
• Knowledgeable on wildlife law, policy and procedures relating to Development Management.
• Experience in undertaking and interpreting biodiversity net gain assessments including the completion of a Defra based biodiversity metric.
• Strong IT skills to support working with packages such as Word, Excel, and Access as well as specific IT packages.
• Strong written communication skills to be able to produce clear reports and documentation.
• Strong numeracy skills to be able to perform accurate financial and arithmetical calculations.
• Have the ability to demonstrate excellent customer service and excellent interpersonal skills at all times.
• An excellent team player and works hard to direct and contribute to team goals.
• The ability to work flexibly including occasional evenings.
• Knowledge of ecosystem services and interrelationships with other services and departments. Good knowledge of wider sector / external influences.
• Experience of partnership working.
• Experience of representing the ecology and biodiversity to external audiences.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

Julia Steadman is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.