This is a role for an additional principal adviser for Natural England operations in species management and wildlife licensing.
Based in Natural England’s Wildlife Licensing Service (NEWLS), the role is to provide for an increasing demand for key technical leadership on complex casework across operation teams ensuring consistency whilst also encouraging the adoption of novel approaches where these are clearly justified. Key to the role is the over sight of specialist technical advice within Natural England and work with other government and external organisations in relation to aspects of wildlife management control techniques (vaccination, firearms, traps & trapping (including AIHTS), fumigants and rodenticides), wildlife ecology, and wildlife licensing under a range of legislation. The role requires an expert knowledge of the Government's current and developing bTB control Policy, Defra's Guidance to Natural England, including current Best Practice Guides.
Job description
Key tasks/principal accountabilities
• Oversee and where appropriate lead on key infrastructure projects and bespoke licensing approaches
• Be the leading source of wildlife expertise and advice on protected species licensing for key infrastructure projects, complex high profile cases and bespoke licensing approaches.
• Lead on high risk activities with the operations manager and representation of these at the high risk casework panel where necessary
• QA and sign off for high risk, complex licensing when required
• Input into chargeable work
• Specialist input into Networks both internal and external
• Support the development and training of Natural England staff and, where necessary, external bodies/individuals through quality assurance and sign off of technical compliance with wildlife management approaches.
• Work with DEFRA policy team and other key partners providing expert technical on control techniques
• Represent Natural England in discussions on key technical and operational aspects of the policy with Defra, APHA and Industry representatives in conjunction with other principal advisers.
• Support Defra and other partners to take decisions that are robust and which draw on the latest and most effective techniques.
• A sound knowledge of the security measures and procedures used by NE and other stakeholders.
• Ensuring Natural England has processes and skills in place to allow disease risk assessment to be considered and applied consistently in all badger licensing
• Expert knowledge of wildlife management control techniques and agriculture, it would be essential to have in depth knowledge of the full range of technical equipment associated with control.
Skills and knowledge
• A minimum of a first degree (BSc) in an Ecology or Environmental subject. It would desirable to have a postgraduate qualification in a relevant scientific field, or evidence of equivalent relevant experience.
• An expert knowledge of the licensing system and licensing types.
• Excellent project management skills with experience of prioritising and working under high pressure and at pace.
• In depth ecological knowledge and expertise in regards to badgers and ideally across a range of the following species is essential; bats, great crested newts, dormouse, water vole, birds (including raptors, wildfowl and piscivorous).
• Expert knowledge of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, Protection of Badgers Act and the Habitats Regulations as well as Natural England’s wildlife licensing duties.
• Experience in providing high level technical advice on protected species matters to developers, ecological consultants, local planning authorities and landowners is essential.
• Ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders, employees, customers and professional organisations.
• Experience of taking a case through Public Inquiry or Judicial Review is desirable.
• A high level of commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to provide excellent customer service both internally and externally.
• Ability to innovate and suggest new ways of working, adapt the team’s way of working to meet policy guidance
Other information:
Location: Flexible with regular meeting in London and Bristol.
The role will require some travel to locations throughout the UK to participate in visits, meetings and training. This will sometimes require overnight stays.
Duties may involve working outdoors day or night, which can be physically demanding, and sometimes during inclement weather conditions – this may include walking for several hours over rough terrain, sitting for periods of time, moving quietly and efficiently, visiting working farm yards where livestock may be present. Please note, this role may require working in close proximity to peanuts.
A current full driving licence is essential for the role.
Competencies
Professional competency 1
Communicating Effectively - Expert
• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience
• Communicate complex or difficult messages clearly and effectively
• Interpret legislation and policy to different audiences making it accessible and relevant
Professional competency 2
Creating Resilient Landscape and Seas - Expert
• Apply technical knowledge to your work
• Apply knowledge of policy and legislation in wildlife and specialist licensing work
• Assess environmental impacts and identify appropriate avoidance, mitigation and/or compensation methods
• Identify opportunities to use the new licensing policies to reduce regulatory burdens and achieve better outcomes for wildlife whilst meeting policy guidance
• Interpret and apply to your work the policies, legislation, and guidance on wildlife protection and management
• Interpret data from monitoring work to influence better outcomes for people and the environment
Professional competency 3
Putting people at the heart of the environment - Expert)
• Make sure customers’ problems are resolved whilst managing customer expectations
• Develop an understanding of the objectives and needs of our partners and customers
• Collaborate, influence and build trusting relationships to achieve pragmatic outcomes
• Understand and explain the outcomes that we seek locally and how these fit in with area wide and national issues
• Proactively engage with partners, businesses and communities to resolve human/wildlife conflicts
Professional competency 4
Work Delivery - Expert
• Consider the financial implications of your work, seek cost effective delivery and identify potential for income from our products and services
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures
• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines
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