Venesky-Brown’s client, a public sector organisation in Northamptonshire, is currently looking to recruit a Planning Ecologist for a 12 week contract on a rate of £50/hour via Umbrella or £38.46/hour PAYE. This role will be predominantly remote based with office working required 1 day per week. The working hours are 37 hours per week.

Responsibilities:

- To provide specialist ecological advice in connection with town planning and related matters, in relation to the natural environment, encompassing biodiversity and geodiversity.

- Provide specialist ecological advice to the Planning Management and Planning Policy teams; and other organisational services and the public on matters of the natural environment, encompassing biodiversity and geodiversity. In particular with regards Biodiversity Net Gain, designated sites, the Upper Nene Gravel Pits Special Protection Area, ancient woodland, and protected and priority habitats and species.

- Apply Government standing advice and professional ecological standards to respond to Planning Management and Local Plan consultations at pre-application, application and discharge of condition stages, securing biodiversity net gain and the conservation of existing habitats and species.

- Carry out Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs) for projects, particularly in relation to Development Management and advise on HRAs for plans, such as Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans.

- Carry out Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and negotiate with planners and on occasion developers to secure the delivery of biodiversity net gain, applying the latest national metric and local guidance, including net gain principles such as ‘Achieve the best outcomes for biodiversity’.

- Maintain a clear record of ecological input into consultation responses to allow for reporting on the enhanced biodiversity duty.

- Represent and advise the Nature Recovery & Biodiversity Lead Officer and the organisation at meetings and site visits in developing the organisation’s response to Biodiversity Net Gain, the Climate and Environment Emergency and the preparation of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

- To ensure compliance with all organisation policies and procedures, with particular reference to the Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and Communication policies.

- The post holder may from time to time be required to carry out other duties provided they are within the general level of responsibility of the post and within the abilities of the post holder.

Essential Skills:

- The post holder should be a member of The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or showing endeavour to qualify for membership.

- The post holder should be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge and experience of working for 2 years within an environmental or ecological capacity in relation to planning.