Job Purpose:
Establish a means for the provision of specialist advice and information on ecology relevant to land use planning and other aspects of biodiversity across the Authority, to ensure compliance with related legislation and policy accordingly.
Principal duties and responsibilities:
1. Develop best practices to ensure the authority complies with related legislation in the area of specialism, regularly reporting on current and improved practice.
2. Advise all relevant departments within the authority on the statutory responsibilities for nature conservation and the means to ensure lawful compliance.
3. Provide ecological support and input for the Development Plans and Conservation and/or the Development Management Sections, including site survey work, data input into computerised databases and GIS, statistical analysis, preparation of reports and evidence, contributing towards development plan, policy and guidance preparation.
4. Identify appropriate opportunities to manage land owned/controlled by the Authority in ways which deliver biodiversity benefits.
5. Ensure actions are undertaken to implement management works on protected sites (including Sites of Special Scientific Interest SSSI) under the ownership/management of PCC to help them towards achieving favourable condition.
6. Assist with the determination of planning applications within defined timescales as required and provide ecological input to the preparation and review of the Development Plan.
7. Contribute to the production, implementation and review of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan/Nature Recovery Action Plan for Pembrokeshire and others where necessary.
8. Assist with the screening/scoping processes in relation to Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal (Appropriate Assessment) and other relevant processes of planning applications, and other relevant projects as required.
Relationships: Responsibility for People – Supervision/Management:
There are no formal supervision responsibilities; however, the role is required to provide advice and assistance to colleagues and external stakeholders and oversee work processes but is not required to formally supervise staff.
Impact and Advising: Decision making, Planning requirements and Procedural context:
1. Assess the ecological implications of planning applications, applying an interpretation of the relevant policy, guidance and legislation, to ensure that the impacts of development are compliant and relevant.
2. Interpret evidence and advise on and assess approaches to ecological mitigation in development schemes.
3. Ensure any ecological impacts/potential biodiversity gain linked to relevant County Council projects and processes are identified and considered prior to commencement of work by the County Council and/or external contractors.
4. Advise on and undertake the screening and scoping processes of planning applications and other projects as required – including Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Appraisal and Appropriate Assessment as applicable to ensure no likely significant effects on European sites, habitats and species of importance for nature conservation.
5. Plan and undertake a biodiversity audit of land holdings owned/leased or under the stewardship of PCC Pembrokeshire County Council on a rolling programme.
6. Assist with the capturing and maintenance of constraints information and data on the GIS and related databases, ensuring accuracy, completeness and compliance with established formats and standards.
Relationships: Communication / Nature of Contacts
1. Advise on appropriate mitigation and provide consultation comments on planning applications in relation to ecological matters.
2. Regularly liaise externally with applicants, planning agents, consultants, developers, consultees, ecological consultants on matters relating to ecological requirements of planning applications.
3. Provide specialist advice to colleagues in Conservation, Planning and other directorates such as Highways, Infrastructure and Projects on a frequent basis, and also the Biodiversity Champion.
4. Provide specialist advice on ecological matters to external stakeholders in relation to other projects where appropriate.
5. Regularly hold discussions with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority planning and other officers as necessary in accordance with the Service Level Agreement with PCNPA to provide specialist advice and information.
6. Regularly explain and advise on ecological requirements to members of the public when making planning applications.
7. Frequently liaise with Natural Resources Wales – the statutory body – on matters such as planning applications, species licenses and other relevant projects.
8. Respond to consultations in relation to designated sites (SSSIs etc) and assist in the preparation of any other relevant information, including information for web pages.
Job Working Environment:
1. Mainly office based with site meetings, site visits (around 2 per week), infrequently climbing ladders to access loft spaces, climbing scaffolding or attending building sites – there may be exposure to inclement weather conditions during site visits and surveys. Meetings will also take place at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as required.
2. Requirement to use mapping systems, planning database, spreadsheets and plans.
3. May come into contact with others who may not respond well to the requirement to consider ecological issues.
Person specification – Qualifications, Knowledge, Experience & Skills:
1. Degree in Ecology or related subject with a significant period of relevant working experience undertaking work of a similar nature.
2. Familiarity with planning processes and procedures.
3. Demonstrable knowledge of relevant legislation such as Habitats Regulations, Planning legislation and guidance.
4. Proven clear and concise written and verbal communication skills with experience of technical/administrative customer-facing work.
5. Strong IT skills/competence with expertise in the use of databases, spreadsheets and GIS.
6. Evidence of strong research skills with the ability to use and analyse data and to read and interpret plans.
7. Able to demonstrate sound organisational skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision; planning and prioritising own work within deadlines.
8. Experience of undertaking technical and ecological site surveys and analysis.
9. Evidence of being a self-motivated team player with the ability to organise and prioritise work effectively and work to deadlines.
10. Full driving licence.
11. Previous experience of working in a Planning department.
12. Ability to speak and write in Welsh.
If you are interested in this role please do reach out to me via email or telephone!
amberrayment@carringtonblakerecruitment.com
020 753 766 07
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