Principal Ecologist

We are looking to appoint a highly motivated and experienced Ecologist to join our smallfriendly Ecology Team.Devon County Council’s Ecology Team sits within the interdisciplinary Environment Group atCounty Hall in Exeter and works across Devon. The Group includes specialists working onclimate, landscape, ecology, coast, marine, flooding, and historic environment. We host the ExeEstuary Partnership, Devon Maritime Forum, Local Nature Partnership, two Protected Landscapesand the North Devon Biosphere Partnership.The Ecology Team is leading on a range of new initiatives including rolling out BiodiversityNet Gain across Devon (we were the first county to register a Habitat Bank!) and working with ateam of wildlife experts and delivery partners to develop the Devon Local Nature RecoveryStrategy. We lead and coordinate the Devon Local Nature Partnership. We provide expert advicewithin Devon County Council and for other Devon Local Planning Authorities including DartmoorNational Park Authority and are involved in a wide range of initiatives and partnerships acrossthe county.We are working on a vast range of initiatives with a vast range of partners - we need yourhelp!This post provides a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of key national initiatives andto gain invaluable experience of working for Local Authorities in a huge, ecologically varied,and beautiful county.The post holder is expected to be in the Exeter office for at least 2 days a week and be ableto attend site visits across Devon at short notice.Key areas of work will include:Provision of specialist ecological planning advice: The post holder will workclosely with planners, developers, ecological consultants, and others (Natural England, NGOs,researchers) on all aspects of wildlife and planning. This will include advising on protectedand priority species and habitats, quarry restoration schemes, undertaking monitoring,delivering Biodiversity Net Gain, providing training, and developing Guidance and Strategies.We are looking for an ecologist who will work proactively and pragmatically with partners todevelop innovative approaches and guidance which result in better outcomes for wildlife and theplanning process.Provision of specialist ecological advice within Devon County Council: Thiswill involve working across the Council and include providing specialist advice relating to theCouncil’s Estate (Life on the Verge, highways maintenance, County Farms, Habitat Banks),advising on DCC (Devon County Council) infrastructure schemes (road and cycle schemes, wastesites, schools) and woodland creation schemes. Depending on experience, work could includespecialist species and habitat surveys, monitoring, producing habitat management plans and farmwildlife plans.Providing support and training: The successful candidate will work closelywith the County Ecologist, Principal Ecologist and Senior Ecologist to provide training andsupport to other team members and partners. There are likely to be opportunities to line manageother team members.Lead on specific areas of work: There will be opportunities to take the leadon various areas of work. Depending on skills and team needs this could be a mix of themes,geography (leading work in a particular part of the county) and partnerships.Specialist input to other Nature Recovery Projects and Partnerships: Dependingon the interests and expertise of the post holder, and priorities within the team, there willbe opportunities to get involved in a wide range of other nature recovery work. A fewexamples include:Helping to develop and implement the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy.Helping to develop and support Local Nature Partnership initiatives e.g. Green Finance andDark Skies.Contributing to a wide range of other initiatives and projects such as Devon CountyWildlife Sites monitoring (funded by DCC and DWT), HLF Projects, Landscape Recovery Projects,Protected Landscape Management Plans and Nature Plans etc.Representing DCC on partnerships such as Protected Landscape Wildlife Groups, North DevonBiosphere Wildlife Group, Devon Biodiversity Records Centre Executive etc.You will need (please see the Job Description for other essential and desirableskills):Understanding and experience of planning and wildlife, including legislation and policy,survey and impact assessments, mitigation and monitoring, Biodiversity Net Gain, HRA, EuropeanProtected Species (particularly bats and dormice).Understanding and experience of nature conservation in the Devon context, including a broadknowledge of species and habitats (including habitat survey and condition assessment, creation,restoration, and management).Strong people and networking skills. Is happy to work with a wide range of people andpartners.A knowledge of the organisations and partnerships involved in nature conservation andplanning and experience of collaborative working.Be an EPS licence holder (particularly bats and dormice) or willing and able to obtainlicences quickly.Good botanical knowledge (minimum of FISC level 3 eq.)Strong verbal reasoning skills and able to present complex ecological and legislativeissues in plain English for non-experts.Able to listen to diverse and conflicting views and negotiate positive outcomes forwildlife.Ability to think strategically and creatively, see the bigger picture and take theinitiative in developing new ways of working with partners.Line management experience is useful but not essential.The post holder will be expected to be (or become on starting the post) a full member of CIEEM.If you have any questions about the post or want an informal chat please contact SarahJennings, County Ecologist on ##### Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, pleaseuse your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply. What we can offer youWorking for Devon County Council has all the benefits that you can expect from a largeemployer. In return for the vital contribution that you make, we offer:26 days annual leave per year (rising with length of service) plus Bank Holidays effectivefrom 1 April 2023Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme - more information can be found on the Peninsular Pensions
websiteAccess to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme – available 24/7 to support youwith personal and work lifeFlexible working opportunities, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role)Discounts from local and high street retailers through the Devon Discounts schemeDCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing anenvironment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share ourcommitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon.More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity
webpages.Happy to Talk Flexible Working
- the Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g., hybrid working,part-time, condensed hours etcWe are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerableadults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence andfluency in English.
#J-18808-Ljbffr