This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and experienced ecologist to work within the Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology (FBG) team based in Thames Area.
As a Biodiversity Technical Officer:
- you will have excellent communication skills and experience of working with a wide range of people. You will be responsible for covering an extensive geographical area, providing high-quality biodiversity advice to a variety of internal and external customers.
- You will be expected to deliver environmental outcomes and build strong relationships, both within the team and with partners and stakeholders.
- You will be well-organised and have the confidence to work independently and under your own initiative. A large part of the role will be reviewing planning and permit applications, taking a risk-based approach to help protect and improve the water environment.
- You will also work with the FBG Project Manager and Catchment Delivery Team to identify, design and deliver a programme of mitigation and restoration activities to deliver measurable environmental outcomes. Your work with operational staff will ensure we prevent/mitigate ecological impacts from our own activities, and those we regulate.
- You will also spend a proportion of your time contributing to the FBG Catchment Restoration Strategies, which are used to compile our evidence base and identify priorities and proactive project work.
You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support your incident role. This may attract an additional payment.
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed.
The team
The team plays a pivotal role in supporting the organisation to achieve biodiversity, ecological and fisheries objectives, including Biodiversity Net Gain. We screen and advise on all relevant internal plans and projects for fisheries, biodiversity and geomorphology impacts to ensure compliance with relevant legislation. We identify and influence opportunities to deliver multiple benefits through river basin and flood risk management planning and delivery, and influence partnerships to help meet WFD and 25 YEP objectives.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
- Degree in relevant subject or equivalent professional experience
- Good understanding of biodiversity and ecological processes.
- Good general field identification skills
- Ability to analyse and interpret ecological data and pressures on wetland species and habitats
- Self-motivated, acting independently with a pro-active approach
- Strong influencing skills with experience of engaging key stakeholders
- Excellent time management skills with an ability to manage an unpredictable workload and balance conflicting needs and priorities.
- Full UK driving licence
Advantageous:
- Knowledge of wetland and river conservation and legislation relating to wildlife and designated sites.
- Understanding of policies relating to fisheries and biodiversity.
- Experience of effective partnership working
- Knowledge of Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services and Town/Country Planning processes
- Understanding river processes and hydrology
- Knowledge of Flood Risk Activity Permitting process
- Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies
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