Job Title: Biodiversity & Habitat Management Officer
Role Description
The successful candidate will play a key role in the delivery of the NI Biodiversity Strategy and contribute to the implementation and review of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and its associated Habitat and Species Action Plans (HAPs and SAPs).
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
* Contribute to the delivery of the NI Biodiversity Strategy: The successful candidate will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of the NI Biodiversity Strategy, working closely with the Coast and Countryside Manager to ensure that the Council complies with the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (NI) 2011.
* Co-ordinate the development, implementation and monitoring of Council BIP: The candidate will co-ordinate the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Council Biodiversity Implementation Plan (BIP), ensuring that the plan is aligned with the NI Biodiversity Strategy.
* Assist the Coast and Countryside Manager: The successful candidate will assist the Coast and Countryside Manager in ensuring that the Council complies with the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (NI) 2011, including the management of Invasive Alien Species.
* Develop and maintain the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) network: The candidate will develop and maintain the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) network, ensuring participation across the whole Council area.
* Identify, develop and manage new sites as biodiversity parks/spaces: The successful candidate will identify, develop, and manage new sites as biodiversity parks/spaces, raising awareness of the value of such sites and contributing to the visitor experience.
* Co-ordinate, develop and deliver a range of biodiversity projects and events: The candidate will co-ordinate, develop, and deliver a range of biodiversity projects and events, raising awareness of the Borough's biodiversity and habitat and providing an enhanced visitor experience.
* Provide advice on the management of Invasive Alien Species: The successful candidate will provide advice on the management of Invasive Alien Species, both within the Council and on behalf of the Council for other agencies.
* Take a strategic lead on the development and delivery of an 'Invasive Alien Species Strategy': The candidate will take a strategic lead on the development and delivery of an 'Invasive Alien Species Strategy' for the Council, collating existing information on the extent of Invasive Alien Species.
* Investigate, survey and manage the control of Invasive Alien Species: The successful candidate will investigate, survey, and manage the control of Invasive Alien Species on Council-owned and managed property.
* Provide advice and assist with management of trees and woodland: The candidate will provide advice and assist with the management of trees and woodland within the Council's estate.
* Develop a management plan to actively address any depletion of woodland: The successful candidate will develop a management plan to actively address any depletion of woodland within the Council's estate and seek opportunities for providing additional wooded areas where relevant and of benefit to the wider community.
* Monitor and provide mitigating measures for threats to the health of our woodland species: The candidate will monitor and provide mitigating measures if possible for threats to the health of our woodland species, including 'ash dieback'.
* Provide advice and support with respect to Council planning applications: The successful candidate will provide advice and support with respect to Council planning applications in respect of Habitat Regulatory Assessments (HRAs).
* Act as a lead Officer for the completion of Habitat Regulatory Assessments: The candidate will act as a lead Officer for the completion of Habitat Regulatory Assessments (HRAs) for Council projects where relevant and when instructed to do so by the Coast and Countryside Manager.
* Prepare and submit assent and consent applications: The successful candidate will prepare and submit assent and consent applications for work to be undertaken on designated sites managed by the Council.
* Be responsible for the procurement of services, materials and equipment: The candidate will be responsible for the procurement of services, materials, and equipment to ensure the delivery of Biodiversity and Habitat projects.
* Make application for external funding: The successful candidate will make application for external funding from any appropriate sources to deliver biodiversity projects, including those which deliver actions for; the Biodiversity Implementation Plan (BIP), Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), Northern Ireland priority habitat and species action plans, and other projects.
* Establish effective financial reporting, assessment and record keeping arrangements: The candidate will establish effective financial reporting, assessment, and record-keeping arrangements to ensure full compliance with all financial and audit requirements within Council policy and procedure.
* Meet the needs of the service: The successful candidate will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
* Attend meetings and prepare reports: The candidate will attend meetings of the Council and any relevant working groups and prepare and present reports as required.