Biodiversity Technical Specialist - SG5 - 11648

1
South West
Blandford Forum
Rivers House Blandford
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Full Time
Environment & Sustainability
£34,879
Come to Wessex and make a real difference through your technical leadership and delivery of positive outcomes for the environment, our people and our wildlife.

This role provides expert knowledge and guidance on scientific and technical issues relevant to biodiversity, ecology and natural processes of river catchments. Your expert understanding of environmental and ecological legislation, policy, planning and process will influence colleagues, partners and customers to maintain and improve the water environment.

You will help to set the priorities to achieve ecological objectives, develop and disseminate best practice and consistency through a national and cross-functional network to achieve our objectives. You will understand that sometimes a pragmatic approach is necessary.

You will provide support and coaching to the rest of the team, acting as a technical mentor and advisor, training them and encouraging continual personal development to ensure knowledge is shared and capability developed to build team resilience.

You will also be expected to support the Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology (FBG) team leader and other technical leads to maximise the performance of the FBG team and ensure our colleagues across the area are fully supported and enabled to deliver their work.
We’re a friendly and passionate team based in Wessex (Blandford) who integrate fisheries, biodiversity and geomorphology expertise to influence colleagues, partners and customers to protect and restore natural river catchments for wildlife and people. We also work closely with colleagues across our businesses in particular Operations and Flood & Coastal Risk Management to advise and work towards environmental improvements wherever possible.
The ideal candidate will show excellent leadership skills, the ability to inspire, motivate and coach people and great networking, influencing and communication skills.
They should;
• have a broad knowledge of the impacts and opportunities of disciplines we influence, including regulation, engineering, project management, town and country planning and agriculture
• demonstrate expertise in river and wetland ecology, protected species, habitat, sites and delivery of restoration strategies
• understand environmental legislation and policy, with experience regulating and enforcing these and presenting evidence as an expert witness
• be an excellent communicator, influencer, coach and adviser, team worker, technical lead to support and develop our team capability
• demonstrate commitment to a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture in your work
• hold credentials and significant experience to support your influence and credibility, such as relevant first degree in an ecological discipline, higher degrees and membership of relevant professional institutes.
This full time role is based in Blandford Forum but the post holder must be able to travel across Wessex for site or office visits. A supportive, more resilient network is maintained by close working with our Bridgwater counterparts. Interviews will be held in Blandford on Wednesday 21st August 2019 or Tuesday 27th August 2019.
Contact: Karen Bettle FBG Team Leader Blandford 07721430626 (Aug 8th onwards) or
Steve Thomas FBG Team Leader Bridgwater 07741007229

11/08/2019, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Delivers Results Through Others
Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures. Tracks and reports progress. Makes sure team members have the skills, knowledge and experience to successfully carry out their role.
Influences and Persuades Others
Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail. Develops and maintains effective working relationships. Influencing from individual sites to major strategic infrastructure projects and restoration plans.
Legislative Knowledge
Applies a knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.
Achieves Results
Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results. Uses initiative, innovation and efficiency to achieve more without compromising quality.
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Demonstrates, maintains and shares an expert level of relevant technical knowledge and understanding in biodiversity within the remit of the Environment Agency, our partners and customer, particularly in waterbodies and the catchments that influence them and for those species, habitats and activities where the Environment Agency plays a lead role.
Develops, delivers and implements strategic plans for the sustainable use, protection and improvement of our environment.
Understands the current and future environmental pressures, develops plans, communicates and engages with partners and customers effectively and ensures delivery. Understands the river basin planning process and how it drives our planning and delivery activity. Collaborates with partners to restore and maintain the favourable status of designated sites.
Driving License
Ability to swim.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.