Planning Ecologist 75933 CESE

The Environment Service has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Planning Ecologist to join our Ecology and Landscape Team. Reporting to the Principal Ecologist, this role will support the delivery of a wide range of strategic and infrastructure projects ensuring that the natural environment of Norfolk is safeguarded and enhanced through the planning system.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about biodiversity. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that the biodiversity potential of sites is preserved and enhanced providing a cost-effective, professional, in-house ecological advice service to ensure Norfolk County Council meets its obligations with regards to ecology and green infrastructure. The role will lead on biodiversity issues, providing advice to Development Management and Planning Policy Officers across a wide range of projects.

We are looking for a motivated individual who can effectively manage peaks in workload to provide timely input into planning decisions. You will have a basic understanding of the English planning system, wildlife legislation and experience of undertaking ecological assessments and producing associated ecological reports. You must be able to evaluate habitats to UK Habitats Classification level.

Key responsibilities will include:

• writing or interpreting ecological reports for Town and Country Planning matters.

• determining the appropriateness of ecological reports submitted with a planning application and if further information is required from the applicant.

• decide if NCC projects require protected species surveys and undertake them in accordance with legislation and national guidance.

• identify and design appropriate ecological mitigation and compensation measures for NCC schemes including providing ecological advice on small and medium highways schemes to support Highways Officers.

You will be a member of CIEEM (associate or higher) and will have significant post qualification experience.

We are looking for someone with good communication skills at all levels, who will fit in well with our friendly team

£24,982- £27,041 dependent on experience. This is a temporary position to cover maternity leave of the post holder.

For more information or an informal discussion regarding this post please contact Martin Horlock, Environment Manager (Information & Partnerships) via martin.horlock@norfolk.gov.uk

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our work spaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working (splitting your working time between one or more workplaces, and agreed remote working location(s) like your home) a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment is first class enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.

For further details and how to apply:

Online: www.norfolk.gov.uk/jobs-training-and-volunteering

Please quote job reference: 75933 CESE

Closing date: 28 February 2022

Interviews will take place via video technology, where you will have the opportunity to discuss these working arrangements.