Environment Agency
Biodiversity Advisor (Nature Recovery, E&B) - 36189
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Job Description
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.
We are looking for an experienced and knowledgeable individual to head up our work on protected species. In particular, you will be responsible for administering and managing our “protected species organisational licence” which allows us to carry out certain activities that impact protected species without direct oversight from Natural England (NE).
- You will build and maintain a community of registered users who are able to use this licence.
- You will produce and update guidance and work with external providers to source the training needed to be considered as a registered user.
- You will report on the use of this licence to NE and work with them to update the terms of the licence so that it continues to meet our needs.
You will provide protected species advice to colleagues across the EA with varied experience and will seek opportunities to improve the way the EA uses this licence and interacts with protected species more broadly, minimising impacts on both species and our operations in the process.
You will also help us learn from any mistakes we make by assisting in the review of internal incidents relating to protected species, reporting your findings and using these to produce Environmental learning from Experience Notices (ELENs) that will minimise similar or worse mistakes being made in the future.
The team
Biodiversity Services is a dispersed national team in Nature Recovery, and part of the Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate. We work with operational, technical and project teams across the country, supporting people to deliver better biodiversity outcomes that create a better place.
We do this through providing training, advice and guidance across a range of technical areas, including protected and priority species, biodiversity net gain and wider project and service delivery.
Experience/skills Required
We are looking for someone with the following skills and experience:
Essential:
- Relevant experience in the fields of biodiversity and/or ecology
- Knowledge and experience of protected species, e.g. licencing, mitigation, translocation, enhancement.
- Well organised and able to meet tight deadlines
- Works effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Actively encourages others to consider diversity issues in their work
- Networks and builds trusting working relationships across the business
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Desirable:
- Member of a relevant professional organisation e.g. CIEEM
- Experience of writing ecological guidance and developing and delivering training materials.
- Experience of working on projects or schemes affecting water voles, badgers and bats.
- Holds or has held one or more protected species licences or has worked with other under the terms of such a licence.
- Solves problems, innovates and explores better ways of doing things.
A range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
Contact and additional information
You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid.
We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel some travel and overnights may be required.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact dominic.coath@environment-agency.gov.uk
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Length of contract
Up to 10 months
Competence 1
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Question
Please give an example of a situation in which you needed to act fast to avoid damage to the environment. What steps did you take to secure the best possible outcome?
Further guidance on how to answer competency questions is given in the Candidate Pack.
Competence 2
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Description
Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes without compromising quality or accuracy.
Question
Please tell us about a time where you saw an opportunity to improve the way your colleagues or the organisation were doing things. How did you go about realising that opportunity and what was the result?
Competence 3
Builds and Sustains Relationships
Description
Develops and maintains effective working relationships.
Question
Please tell us about a situation where you feel that the quality of your relationships made a critical difference in terms of the work or outcomes that you delivered.
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.
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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.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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