Job Title: Interim Principal Ecologist
Contract Length: 12 Weeks
Location: Hereford
Salary: Up to £54 per hour
We are seeking an experienced Interim Principal Ecologist to lead and manage our ecological projects during a critical period of transition. This role offers the opportunity to work with a dynamic team of ecologists and environmental professionals, delivering high-quality ecological consultancy services while providing strategic oversight and expert guidance.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth delivery of ongoing projects, compliance with environmental regulations, and effective team leadership.
These include complex bespoke calculations supported by detailed and non-standard data submissions and usually require bespoke legal agreements to provide required certainty for the HRA process. Will usually involve complex and detailed discussions and negotiations at a senior level in Natural England and with applicants and specialist contractors employed by the applicants.
Nutrient Neutrality - includes but not limited to:
* Change of use of land/buildings (especially farm related) to generate NN, including calculations around changing surface water flows and sustainable drainage systems.
* Offsite nutrient neutrality solutions.
* Approving, legally securing and managing third-party phosphate credit schemes.
* Intensive agricultural developments - eg AD Plants, waste to heat/energy, poultry and livestock units, polytunnels.
* Major residential applications not utilising a standard foul water and sustainable drainage scheme.
* Other alternative NN schemes such as fertiliser production.
Other HRA – includes but not limited to:
* Air emission and deposition from agricultural developments and incineration.
* Significant recreational effects.
* Other significant water or air pollution such as waste water treatment works upgrades and integrated constructed wetlands.
* Drafting, proofing and publishing updated council guidance and FAQs.
* Specialist advice and processes in respect of Council’s own Nutrient Neutrality Schemes.
* Technical support making comments on large/major/strategic developments and on significant developments by the council.
* Representing Natural Environment Service/Ecology at Planning appeal hearings and co-ordinating/proofing written representations.
* Managing this charged for scheme, liaising and obtaining advice from Natural England’s Discretionary Advice Service.
* Providing specialist input in to drafting of reports.
* Checking final reports are technically and legally correct.
* Providing high level support to Development Management Team including advice on legal agreements and “significant” habitats and gains..
* Working to develop, approve and legally secure Habitat Banks in the county.
* Developing strategic approach to BNG
* Drafting, proofing and publishing updated council guidance and FAQs.
Job Type: Temporary
Contract length: 12 weeks
Pay: Up to £54.00 per hour
Expected hours: 37 per week
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday