Our team…

The Council’s Planning Services play a fundamental role in managing the natural and built environment, ensuring that the future development needs of the area can be accommodated to make it a better place in which to live and work. 

The Environment & Design workstream comprises a multidisciplinary team of specialist disciplines, who support the council’s role in place-shaping by working across the whole planning function.  The specialisms include archaeology, ecology, landscape, historic environment, and urban design. 

Role summary… 

The Principal Ecologist will promote the protection and enhancement of the County’s biodiversity, ensuring that it is an integral part of the Council’s growth and place making agenda.

You will provide specialist ecological advice to ensure statutory requirements and council objectives are met and have a key role in supporting the preparation of the council’s Local Plan, other strategies and guidance as well as providing advice on development proposals. You will help to shape the delivery of biodiversity net gain in North Yorkshire. 

Duties and responsibilities… 

·       Support the preparation, implementation, and review of the statutory development plan by inputting to the formulation of natural environment and Green Infrastructure policies and assessing the impact on biodiversity of site allocations.

·       Prepare and update biodiversity guidance and other advisory material for agents, developers, property owners, and the general public.

·       Work proactively with the National Landscapes for mutual benefit in promoting biodiversity improvements.

·       Prepare and present evidence at public examinations, hearings, and local inquiries in so far as it relates to the natural environment.

·       Lead the work of the SINC Panel, ensuring a transparent process for the identification, assessment, and designation of SINCs underpinned by a programme of survey work.

·       Work with the North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre in maintaining a biological record database for the County.

·       Respond to pre-application enquiries, planning applications and enforcement cases where a proposal will impact on biodiversity and ecology, with a focus on large scale, complex applications including minerals and waste and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. This will include site visits to assess applications and meetings to review proposals with the applicant/consultant.

·       Review biodiversity net gain proposals that are submitted, including providing advice on S106 agreements and planning conditions.

·       Lead on the review of BNG Habitat Bank proposals, including the review of habitat creation and restoration proposal in line with current regulations and guidance. Liaise with legal services in the setting up of s106 for Habitat Banks.

·       Provide ecological advice on habitat creation and restoration to the minerals and waste industry through the planning system.

·       Provide training and briefings on ecological and biodiversity net gain matters to develop in service capacity; equipping others to become more self-reliant when considering development impacts on biodiversity.

·       Provide ecological input to design/development briefs to ensure the effective integration of green infrastructure into new development and provide ecological advice in respect of Council owned assets.

·       Lead on the Planning Services responsibility to deliver and report on statutory duties under the NERC Act 2006 and Environment Act 2021

·       Provide ecological advice and input into the Local Nature Recovery Strategy as appropriate.

·       Provide ecological advice and support to other groups, organisations, and individuals in line with the Council’s commercial agenda.

·       Take responsibility for own work, performance, development, and behaviours; using own initiative to ensure that expectations are met for the benefit of the Council, our customers, and our colleagues.

Experience / Qualifications:

·       Degree in Ecology or equivalent (Life sciences/Environmental Sciences)

·       Evidence of continuous professional and personal development.

·       Significant post qualification experience in assessing the ecological implications of development proposals.

·       A good working knowledge of the town and country planning system (both plan making and development management)

·       Experience of negotiating with a range of bodies and individuals

·       Experience of effective communication using a variety of methods tailored to a broad range of stakeholders and customers, including experience of presenting evidence at examinations/inquiries and or reports to Members.

·       Working across organisational boundaries, developing effective relationships in order to deliver Service projects and priorities.

·       Good knowledge and understanding of ecology, habitat management and restoration, survey methodologies and mitigation strategies.

·       Knowledge/experience of Phase one habitat surveys and protected species surveys

·       Good understanding of current legislation and Policy:

o   Habitat Regulations

o   Wildlife and Countryside Act

o   Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act

o   Environment Bill

o   National Planning Policy Framework

Contact and Apply…

For more information/informal discussion please contact Linda.Marfitt@northyorks.gov.uk (Head of Planning Policy and Place), Julia.Casterton@northyorks.gov.uk (Principal Ecologist).

Key Documents

Job Description

Total Rewards Brochure

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.