Biodiversity Assistant 495371

**Department of Place**

**Planning, Transportation and Highways**

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**Biodiversity Assistant**

**SO1-SO2: £30,151-£34,723 (Pro rata for Part Time Posts)**

**1 x 37 hours per week**

**Established**

**Based at Britannia House, Bradford**

The Countryside and Rights of Way Service is seeking a Biodiversity Assistant to oversee the implementation of the Council’s duty to protect and enhance biodiversity.

Bradford is diverse district of rural and urban areas including sections of the internationally important habitats of the South Pennine Moors SAC with breeding bird community of the South Pennine Moors SPA. From permanent Pennine pastures supporting acid grasslands and CHEGD fungi to the river valleys of the Aire and Wharfe, connecting the district to the Yorkshire Dales.

In addition to the South Pennines SSSI, Bradford District contains Bingley South Bog SSSI and Trench Meadows SSSI as well as Local Nature Reserves and Local Wildlife Sites designated for valuable and diverse habitats including ancient woodland, lowland heath and mire.

As an industrial city Bradford offers a wealth of opportunity to enhance the biodiversity that provided the raw materials for the industrial revolution and the artistic inspiration for the likes of Emily Bronte and David Hockney. Iconic habitats of Ilkley and Haworth Moors will provide the setting for Bradford’s City of Culture in 2025, highlighting the importance of these habitats to the life and history of the district.

The key purpose of the post is to support the Biodiversity Officer and provide ecological advice and technical support to Development Management, Development Planning and other Services, including identifying the need for ecological assessments and surveys, appropriate conditions and other relevant matters and assessing the impacts of development, for major projects and other proposals, including the adequacy of ecological assessments and survey information - including review of Biodiversity Net Gain calculations and management plans.

The Biodiversity Assistant will also be working with biodiversity colleagues in local authorities outside the district, cooperating to share knowledge and understanding and develop joined-up approaches to Biodiversity Net Gain and Local Nature Recovery for the region.

Applicant must have two years relevant experience in local/national government, ecological consultancy or other relevant organisation to include:
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**An enhanced disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service will be undertaken for this post.**

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**Closing Date: 23rd April 2023