Ecologist

Senior Natural Environment Officer

West Northamptonshire Council

Duration: 3 – 6 Months initially with extensions likely

Rate: £50 per hour (Inside IR35) via an Umbrella Company

Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working Arrangement - 3 days remote & 2 days onsite – Northamptonshire

Purpose:

“ to comment on planning applications from an ecology perspective ”

Responsibilities:

• To make a proactive and positive contribution to the effective delivery of the Planning Service, and to deliver excellent customer service in every interaction for all internal and external customers, including Councillors
• To respond in a timely and professional manner to requests for support from members of the public seeking to engage with the Planning Service
• To support timely responses to customer, MP and Councillor complaints, feedback, FOI and EIR requests to ensure the Planning Service is consistently meeting corporate service standards
• To implement the Council’s place shaping agenda and its objective to be positive and proactive in terms of allowing the 'right schemes' in the 'right place' at the ‘right time’
• To provide appropriate technical advice to the public, developers, agents, Members, other departments of the Council and other persons and bodies as appropriate in connection with development proposals and related matters in writing, by telephone or in person
• To provide a high standard of timely natural environment advice to the development management service and other relevant services across the Council and in the Place Directorate
• To prepare advice on natural environment matters for the Planning Policy/Planning Committees or other meetings and site visits, as appropriate, including the briefing of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Elected Members
• To balance a high standard of nature conservation in development with the need to support growth, inward investment, sustainability and energy efficiency
• To assist in the preparation and review of the Local Plan including policy making and site-specific advice as required

Skills and Experience:

• Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management ( essential )
• Extensive experience of working in local government providing a high standard of timely ecological advice to the development management service and other relevant services
• Relevant undergraduate degree and postgraduate qualification