Principal Ecologist - Biodiversity Net Gain
Devon Local Authorities (hosted by Devon County Council)
Permanent, full time position (secondments may be considered)
Salary: £35,411 - £39,493 (2023 pay award pending)
An exciting opportunity to work at the heart of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) development and delivery in a beautiful and ecologically diverse county.
This post is jointly funded by the majority of Devon Local Authorities (including Devon County Council, Districts, Unitaries and two National Parks) with the aim of developing a consistent approach to BNG across Devon and maximising benefits for nature. The post is hosted by Devon County Council’s Ecology Team which is based at County Hall, Exeter. However the successful candidate will be working across all Local Authorities involved.
Kay areas of work are to:
The successful candidate will have knowledge and experience of wildlife and planning in the UK, including: BNG, legislation and policy, planning conditions and legal agreements, wildlife surveys and impact assessments, habitat creation and management, condition and compliance monitoring, EPS and HRA.
Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential along with, a proactive approach, the ability to prioritise, an enthusiasm for working with a wide range of partners and the ability to negotiate positive outcomes for wildlife in potentially contentious situations. A passion for communicating complex technical issues in plain english to a wide range of audiences is critical.
The post is offered on a full-time basis, but flexible working arrangements can be discussed. Site visits across Devon and a regular presence in the Local Authority offices will be required with a weekly presence at County Hall.
For more information (including benefits of working for DCC such as local government pension, holidays, flexible working arrangements) please see Working for Devon.
Closing date: Wednesday 14th June
Interview date on Teams: Thursday 22nd June
For an informal discussion please contact Sarah Jennings, County Ecologist on sarah.jennings@devon.gov.uk or 07967 456361.
Job Description