Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist

Overview

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, and they stay with us! We are proud of how we support development and career progression. We continue to promote diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, we welcome all applicants.

We have an exciting new vacancy for a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) specialist to join our Sustainable Operations and Engineering department’s Environment and Planning Services team.

If you are looking for a role that has a focus on our local environment and love engaging with equally passionate people, then we want to hear from you!

Working as part of a high-performing team, you will be encouraged to have a voice and be free-thinking and empowered. You will also have a genuine opportunity to make an impact.

Although based in Bath, this role may require limited travel throughout the Wessex Water region. We also offer flexible working, allowing you to work from home some of the time, if preferred, as well as in our office.

The role

This role is based within our in-house Environment and Planning Services team which provides a wide range of internal services to facilitate project delivery for engineering, construction and operational projects.

Your core responsibilities will involve the following:

General:

• Support the delivery of BNG requirements and biodiversity enhancement across engineering and operational activities.
• Have a strong understanding of BNG planning policy, keeping up to date with new guidance and applying it to project delivery processes.

Engineering schemes:

• Lead on the implementation (and monitoring where required) of statutory BNG across capital developments, including selecting the most appropriate solutions for specific sites and projects.
• Lead on and deliver our Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) target to achieve overall BNG across engineering developments from 2025.
• Support the internal and external monitoring and reporting of biodiversity progress, eg, returns to Local Planning Authorities.

Support our Conservation, Access and Recreation (CAR) team with:

• Long-term management of BNG provisions on our own landholdings, eg, the implementation of BNG into Site Environment (Management) Plans and grounds maintenance.
• The Biodiversity Performance Commitment of no net loss of biodiversity across our operational landholding.
• Site Environmental (Management) Plans and SSSI status improvements on operational land.
• The delivery of additional biodiversity units on our landholding.

Other areas:

• Engagement with local communities on biodiversity scheme opportunities.

What do you need?

You will have studied a degree in an environmental-related subject and typically have experience in a project delivery-focused role.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• A good working knowledge of UK environmental legislation and policy.
• Good understanding of and experience in the use of Natural England’s biodiversity metric tool.
• Good botanical skills and knowledge of habitat types, in particular those present within the region within which Wessex Water operates.
• Experience in the design and habitat management process for the delivery of BNG.
• High level of organisational skills to manage your own projects, workload and deadlines.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
• Confident communication skills with colleagues, technical specialists and stakeholders.
• Good IT skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• A current UK driving licence.

Preferred skills, knowledge, and experience:

• GIS skills.
• Experience using planning systems.
• Knowledge/interest in the water industry.
• Knowledge of nature-based solutions.
• A degree in Environmental Science/Management, Ecology, Planning or a similar related subject, such as Geography.
• Membership to a relevant professional institution.

What you will get from us

We have a wealth of both financial and non-financial benefits to offer our people and are committed to ensuring we provide an environment that supports health and wellbeing and flexible working. These include:

• Hybrid working.
• Career development.
• Pension – up to 20% combined contribution.
• 25 days’ holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to ten days’ holiday.
• Free local bus service to our office.
• On-site restaurant and coffee house.
• Health benefit package.
• Life assurance (four times your salary).
• Cashback and discounts from over 1,200 retailers.
• Paid volunteering day.
• Enhanced maternity leave.
• Health and wellbeing programme.
• Support from mental health first aiders.

We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer. Applicants who declare they have a disability or have previously served with the Armed Forces, and meet the minimum requirements for the job, will automatically be invited for an interview.

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to assist you in starting your journey with Wessex Water.

If you have what it takes to join this award-winning business and want to be part of our exciting journey and share in that success, then please contact us to find out more.

• Reference REQ005602
• Department Environmental Solutions
• Location Bath
• Starting Salary GBP 38,000 – GBP 51,000 Dependant on experience
• Category Permanent
• Package 40 hours per week; pension scheme up to 20% combined contribution, 25 days annual leave, rising to a maximum of 28 days with 5 years’ service; company car/car allowance

Sound interesting? Please click APPLY to progress to the next step.

Apply Here