Development Officer Specialist - Biodiversity Net Gain

Development Officer Specialist - Biodiversity Net Gain - Permanent  - Full Time Position(37hrs) - Grade 3 (29,592 - £36,655)

Do you want to work in beautiful Cornwall at the forefront of Biodiversity Net Gain and help drive nature recovery?  If so, this could be your perfect opportunity…

Cornwall Council is already successfully operating a biodiversity net gain (BNG) approach, but as it becomes mandatory in early 2024, we need additional expertise to support planning and ecology colleagues and applicants to ensure that the process is streamlined, and development secures successful BNG delivery in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Act.

A key part of the role is to build relationships with development officers, ecologists, the local nature partnership, developers, landowners, and communities with the shared goal of delivering ecological improvements across Cornwall.

As a solutions-focused individual, you will have the exciting opportunity of setting up and providing a new advice-giving service, which will provide advice to developers on securing BNG and its integration into existing planning processes, along with identifying opportunities for improved provision.  This will include understanding and using the DEFRA biodiversity metric, checking BNG plans and providing input to related policies. 

The creation of this new role will provide a consistent approach and provide confidence for applicants by identifying any fundamental issues, exploring opportunities and embedding BNG early in the planning process proactively, rather than reactively.  The main responsibilities of the role will include:

• Pre-application assessment triaging of Biodiversity Metric calculations, BNG statements and biodiversity gain plans submitted by developers and applicants to ensure they meet national and local requirements, including whether on and off-site provision of BNG is acceptable and appropriate – looking beyond the numbers to check that plans make sense ecologically;
• Provision of advice on design and delivery of BNG solutions;
• Early identification of any fundamental issues prior to validation;

·       Helping inform planning policy to reflect biodiversity net gain requirements and locally specific circumstances (such as local ecological networks, Local Nature Recovery Networks), ensuring join-up with other policies in the Local Plan and advising on a relevant evidence base and monitoring where required; 

·       Collaborating closely with Council ecologists and engaging with planning consultants and their consultancy teams within the development sector;

·       Contributing to and developing guidance for developers and other stakeholders.

You will have initiative, be highly motivated, enthusiastic, organised and objective, with a solutions-focused approach and the following:

Essential

• Degree level/equivalent experience in ecology or relevant biological science
• Knowledge of biodiversity net gain and Defra’s biodiversity metric to establish baseline condition and potential for biodiversity ‘uplift’ along with associated legislative and policy context.
• A good understanding of conservation land management. techniques/constraints in a variety of habitats.
• An understanding of the UK planning system.
• Excellent time management and prioritisation.
• Record keeping and data management using databases and mapping software.
• A good standard of interpersonal skills. The ability to work with a team, and the skills required to maintain and develop good relationships across the Council and with external stakeholders.
• A good standard of communication, to present findings verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work flexibly, independently and to deadlines.
• A pragmatic approach to problem solving and

Desirable

·      Use of the Biodiversity Metric

·      Relevant knowledge of compliance requirements in terms of wildlife and environmental legislation.

·      Experience of developing policy and/or practice in biodiversity related themes, working with a range of internal and/or external stakeholders.

·      Membership of or working towards an appropriate professional organisation.

Whilst we are ideally looking for someone with experience of biodiversity net gain who is familiar with the Defra metric and its application within planning, if you have a degree level or equivalent experience in ecology or relevant biological science and bring enthusiasm and a can-do attitude to make a difference for conservation, we want to hear from you.

Benefits:

·      Company Pension

·      26 days* annual leave per year (pro-rata), rising to 29 days after five years continuous service. Plus: 

• bank holidays
• ability to buy extra annual leave
• family friendly leave
• pay and working arrangements 
• payment of relevant professional fees
• car salary sacrifice scheme
• relocation scheme (for certain roles)
• relevant learning and development opportunities
• A national award winning employee health and wellbeing programme
• Unlimited paid time off for employees who require fertility investigations and treatment – the Council is accredited as the first ‘Fertility Friendly’ Local Authority in the UK, from the organisation Fertility Matters at Work
• An employee assistance programme (EAP) and access to confidential counselling
• A volunteering scheme allowing 2 days paid volunteering days per year
• Coaching and mentoring schemes for staff

Work-life balance:

Cornwall Council recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important – whether that’s for your families, friends, or yourself.

Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices and spaces throughout Cornwall.

We also offer part-time working, flexible working patterns and working arrangements.

Closing date:  12 noon on Thursday 30^th November 2023

Please view the role profile here, your application will need to demonstrate how you meet the required criteria. Please ensure you answer all of the pre-screening questions in full, within the application form. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here.

Whilst the location/work-base for this role may have been specified our evolving ways of working means that the role may require you to also work remotely (e.g. from home/other locations). We will discuss this with you during the recruitment process.

We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part-time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunities can be found here.

Please do not upload any additional documentation in support of this application. Applications will be considered based on the screening questions and qualifications and experience details provided within the application form only. Any further attachments will not be considered when the recruiting managers are shortlisting for interview. 

Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall.  In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g. race, disability, sex, gender, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.  

Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It’s a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from