Biodiversity and Countryside Officer

£32,096- £34,964 per annum, 37 hours per week
Permanent contract- full time/job share considered
Working for Publica principally supporting Cotswold District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council

About the role….

Cotswold District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council are passionate about safeguarding and restoring biodiversity in their areas. We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic ecologist to lead on providing high quality and robust ecological advice, especially on planning policy and development proposals.

You will work within a team of Natural and Built Environment Specialists providing the very best advice and guidance within, primarily, the planning system.

You will ensure that planning applications not only safeguard biodiversity but also maximise opportunities for net gain and nature recovery. You will also have the opportunity to take a strategic view by helping shape future planning policy on biodiversity, green infrastructure and natural capital.

Whilst ‘based’ in one location your work will support both councils and we offer a flexible way of working between the office and home.

You will need….

• A Degree or equivalent in an environmental/ecological discipline
• At least 1 years’ experience in working within the planning system, within an ecological context
• Good communication and negotiation skills
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (or eligibility for membership)
• Experience of applying a biodiversity net gain approach and considering natural capital and green infrastructure

Special conditions…

• Use of a car for work purposes

Who are we…

Publica is a unique place to work – we’re a local government organisation with a twist! Publica wants to transform the way local services are delivered. To help do this we have started to fundamentally rethink the way we design our services in the digital era so that Publica is a customer focused organisation driven by real user needs.

What can we do for you…

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 26 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of 5% of your earnings
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with huge tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Access to digital financial advice (covering your pension scheme, mortgages and other finances)
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
• Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
• Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary

Please note: Due to differences in job advertisement boards the same role may be advertised as Publica Group, West Oxfordshire District Council or Cotswold District Council

Closing date: Sunday 22nd May 2022 at midnight

To apply for this position please click on "apply now" within this page and submit your CV and supporting statement. Please tell us about your skills, knowledge, qualifications, experience and how they meet the criteria listed above and in the job description/person specification. It’s important that we’re a good fit for each other, so let us know what’s important to you and why you want to work for Publica Group Ltd.. Your application will not be considered if you have not provided a supporting statement, in addition to your CV.

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy- Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.

Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.