Planning Ecologist

Job reference: 237400

Salary: £24,496.00 to £27,344.00, Grade 6. £27,852.00 to £30,151, Grade 7. £31,099.00 to £33,820.00, Grade 8 (Career Graded 6 to 8)

Contract: Permanent – 37 hours per week

Location: Wakefield One, Burton St, Wakefield WF1 2EB

Wakefield Council has taken a proactive stance on the pressing issues of biodiversity and ecological crisis. In March 2021, we declared a Biodiversity Emergency and Ecological Crisis. We are now seeking a passionate and dedicated individual, with relevant qualifications and experience, to fill the newly created position of Planning Ecologist. Join our highly successful Planning Service and contribute to the protection and enhancement of our natural environment.

Responsibilities:

As the Planning Ecologist, you will play a vital role in providing ecological advice on planning applications and supporting the implementation of biodiversity net gain through planning. You will collaborate closely with the Council’s Countryside and Greenspace Service to address matters of biodiversity net gain and nature recovery. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert ecological advice and guidance on planning applications, to ensure the protection and enhancement of our natural environment
• Assessing ecological reports for planning applications, offering insightful feedback, and negotiating with developers to ensuring compliance with relevant regulations
• Supporting the implementation of biodiversity net gain policies and processes in planning, including monitoring and reporting
• Collaborating with the Council’s Countryside and Greenspace Service to align efforts in achieving biodiversity net gain and nature recovery goals

Requirements:

To excel in this role, you should meet the following requirements:

• Hold or be working towards an undergraduate degree in Ecology or a related field
• Possess student membership of a relevant professional institute as a minimum
• Knowledge of British flora and fauna, and the full breadth of associated habitats and ecosystems
• Experience in assessing ecological reports for planning applications, or can demonstrate an equivalent level of theoretical, technical, and procedural knowledge gained through study and / or volunteering
• Possession of a full driving licence
• Experience of using the Defra Biodiversity Net Gain Metric is desirable

Why Join Wakefield Council?

At Wakefield Council, we value our employees and strive to create a supportive and rewarding work environment. Here’s what we offer:

• Flexible full-time working pattern of 37 hours per week
• Generous holiday package of at least 29 days plus 8 Bank Holidays
• Support and access to high-quality training programs to help you progress in your career
• Commitment to staff well-being, including work/life balance, supportive leadership, and workplace support
• Access to a range of employee support products
• Discounts and subsidies for public transport, including Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), and MetroCard
• Participation in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Excellent benefits package, including discounted membership to our state-of-the-art leisure facilities, free 12-week exercise program with a dedicated personal trainer, discounts for various retail, entertainment, health, and leisure providers, cycle-to-work scheme, and more

Interviews will take place in September.

For further information please contact:

Steven Wright at stwright@wakefield.gov.uk, Tel: 07825 174233.

Morgan Stringer at morganstringer@wakefield.gov.uk, Tel: 07776 512403

Closing date: 3 September 2023.