Osborne Richardson has an interesting opportunity for a Nature Conservation Officer (Planning) to join a very busy local authority in Somerset for a contract role.
You will join their Neighbourhoods and City Development division and take responsibility for providing expert ecological advice on planning applications and appeals with respect to protected and priority species and habitats, designated wildlife sites and biodiversity enhancements. You will be required to carry out site visits to assess suitability of ecological assessments submitted with planning applications and liaise and negotiate with planners, agents, applicants and members of the public over biodiversity issues.
Strong communication skills are essential as you will act as a point of contact for all matters requiring ecological advice. On a daily basis you will be dealing with senior managers, a wide range of stakeholders and the general public, explaining complex and new approaches to ecology within development management and policy development.
The successful candidate must have a relevant degree or equivalent in ecology or a related environmental discipline and have a recent experience of working in a similar role with a UK Local Authority. You will need to be confident in dealing with external contacts, in particular representatives from developers working in the Borough.
This will be a home based roles though you will be required to attend site visits on occasion and the rate offered £300/day (inside IR35). For more information and a copy of the JD please get in touch.