Biodiversity Net Gain Officer

Bristol City Council

Biodiversity Net Gain Officer

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Job reference: VAC004360

Location: City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR

Salary: BG12 - BG13: £38,296 – £45,495

Package: Flexible working hours Pension scheme Paid expenses

Contractual hours: 37

We are recruiting for a highly motivated and experienced individual to lead the development of effective biodiversity net gain (BNG) processes and systems for the Council. This is a permanent post to support colleagues and developers thereby ensuring that development secures successful BNG delivery in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Act.

The Biodiversity Net Gain Officer will be part of the Urban Design Team, within the Planning Service. This role would suit a professional with experience of ecology, land-use planning or green infrastructure. You will contribute positively to the City Council’s corporate efforts to promote and increase biodiversity, ecological recovery and green infrastructure for the benefit of people, nature and prosperity of the city.

Key elements of the role will be to:

• Work with colleagues to explore the council’s approach to strategic off-setting and suitable sites
• Collaborate on developing a Bristol Blue-Green Infrastructure Strategy
• Lead on developing a supplementary planning document for BNG Local Plan policy
• Provide high quality and timely BNG advice to officers, councillors, developers and their advisors, members of the public and community groups having regard to relevant legislation, planning policy, guidance, standards and best practice
• Develop guidance for developers and other stakeholders
• Present briefings to senior managers and politicians
• Report to DEFRA on BCC statutory BNG performance in line with government guidance
• Work in partnership with colleagues and external stakeholders to promote and maximise BNG

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement that details how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your covering letter.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Pete Insole on pete.insole@bristol.gov.uk

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.

Closing date: 13 August 2023.

Apply Here