Conservation Officer (Maternity Cover)

Surrey Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK, a grassroots movement working to protect and connect at least 30 per cent of land and sea for nature's recovery by 2030

‘Our vision for a wilder Surrey is a future with abundant wildlife and nature recovery networks rich in biodiversity.’

Ecology Planning Advice Service promotes SWT’s mission by supporting Local Planning Authorities around the county in reviewing planning applications for a range of projects, from small-scale developments to strategic housing and infrastructure projects. 

The role

We are looking for an experienced Conservation Officer to assist in provision of ecological advice to Local Planning Authorities at all stages of the planning process and to developers though our pre-application advice service.    

You will be responsible for reviewing technical information; liaising with clients, stakeholders and subject matter experts.  You will provide formal recommendations to Local Planning Authorities to advise on ecological policy and statutory compliance within planning decisions and where required, present at planning inquiries defending the outcome of your assessments on behalf of Local Planning Authorities.  Your formal recommendations will cover a wide range of planning proposals and may include large infrastructure projects, housing developments and private homeowners.  

You will be supporting the team in promoting the service to clients and liaising with statutory and non-statutory organisations on matters relating to ecology.   

This is an office-based role at our HQ in Pirbright, but will also involve site visits and will initially be home based. 

Ideally you will be able to start in March/April 2021.  This is a full time role as maternity cover for approximately 12 months; part-time (over 25 hours) applications will also be considered. 

We operate a flexi policy and aim to provide a good work/life balance which can incorporate some home working whilst having an interesting and challenging working environment. 

Your skills

You will have demonstrable experience in providing high quality ecological advice to developers and/or Local Planning Authorities.    

We are committed to having an inclusive and diverse workplace and encourage applications from backgrounds which may be underrepresented in our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. 

We will aim to offer an interview to all candidates that meet the essential criteria for the post.  Please let us know if you require any adjustment to make our recruitment process more accessible.

If this is the role for you:

Please send a completed application form to Heather Lewis, Conservation Manager, Planning swtes.recruitment@surreywt.org.uk.

The deadline for applications is 5pm Friday 26^th March 2021.  Interviews will be held remotely.