Assistant Ecologist

**How you'll make a difference**:
We are determined that South Gloucestershire will be a great place to live and work. Our Planning Service comprises of three main elements: Development Management, Major Sites and Strategic Planning Policy and Specialist Advice, who work strongly together to deliver a one-service joined-up approach for our customers.

Following the introduction of mandatory biodiversity net gain, working within our Strategic Planning Policy and Specialist Advice team, you will make a difference providing advice to support the council’s development management and plan making statutory responsibilities in relation ecology and biodiversity matter.

**What will you be doing?**

As someone with either early ecology career experience, recently graduated or about to graduate with a relevant degree under the day-to-day supervision of the Senior Ecologist you will support biodiversity net gain (BNG) implementation by using the Council’s GIS Map Info system to map BNG sites and habitats and other planning policy projects and initiatives undertaken by the Strategic Planning Policy & Specialist Advice Team.
- Using your skills and experience you will contribute to the development and maintenance of databases and monitoring systems relating to the recoding and monitoring of biodiversity and the natural environment.
- You will support the development of policy, strategy and guidance formulation by using your specialist knowledge in ecology and biodiversity.
- It will be your responsibility to provide and present information and advice, including answering requests for information on the above matters to other departments, outside organisations, and the public, and to attend appropriate working groups.

There will be opportunities for continuing professional development in accordance with CIEEM CPD requirements.

**What we need from you**:

- We require you to be educated at NVQ 3 level or working towards a degree level or have experience in environmental sciences/ ecology
- You will be able to collate information from a variety of sources and present findings
- You will be able to prioritise your workload and manage your times
- You will have effective IT and numeracy skills including the ability to accurately update information systems and databases.
- You will be able to work as part of a team
- Given the nature of this role, you will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills

You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so must have a full valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle.or have alternative appropriate means of travel.

**How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different**:

- We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our **training and development** offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.
- We trust our team to work in the way which allows them to make the biggest difference and we continue to **invest in technology **to help staff do their jobs to the best of their ability and **celebrate innovation.**
**- As part of our benefits package you will receive **generous annual leave** (pro rata), employee **wellbeing support** and you will have access to a range of **staff discounts**, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
- We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of
- We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses.
- We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

**We’re making a difference, be part of it**

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- This is a limited term contract until May 2025.