4Recruitment Services are seeking an experienced Ecologist to work for a council based in Northwest London.The role sits within the Climate Change, Natural Resources & Strategy Division with close working with the Council’s Planning Service. The services are part of the Housing & Regeneration Directorate. The post holder will be required to work with multi-disciplinary teams. The post also has strong links with the Public Realm service, jointly working on key Council owned sites as well as working with the wider community, interested volunteer groups and landowners.Purpose of the role:

To take a key role in the conservation and enhancement of Harrow’s biodiversity and approach to natural capital. To be responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring and review of the Council’s approach to Biodiversity Net Gain (including identification and development of potential habitat banks) and relevant parts of the emerging Local Plan. To co-ordinate the borough’s input into the London Local Nature Recovery Strategy and required actions.
To provide advice on biodiversity, ecology and nature conservation issues affecting planning policy, development, land use, and to support implementation of the Council’s Climate & Nature Strategy.
To work collaboratively with other service areas, including parks and public realm management teams, and external partners (including Harrow Nature Conservation Forum) to ensure the effective management of key Council owned sites.
To co-ordinate delivery of biodiversity and natural capital enhancement projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: Biodiversity Action Plan and related policies:

To ensure the delivery, update and promotion of Harrow’s Biodiversity Action Plan, monitor its progress, ensure the implementation of action plans relating to the Borough’s own sites, and to actively engage with partners to deliver actions on non-Council sites.
To identify potential funding sources, develop bids, in conjunction with external partners when necessary and secure additional funding to further develop biodiversity work in Harrow.
To lead the development of management plans for Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and support the development of management plans for other Public Realm and privately managed sites, ensuring ecological issues are considered and addressed and that the users, local community, voluntary wardens and site managers are involved in the process. To implement proactive and positive site management.

Green Belt Management Strategy:

To implement actions within Harrow’s Green Belt Management Strategy which relate to biodiversity or open space management.
To assist with the efficient and effective deployment of staff to enable service delivery and the maximum utilisation of available resources.
To monitor and review the GBMS, and report its progress to appropriate bodies.
To provide biodiversity advice both in house and to the public on planning applications and policies and, when necessary, provide information for planning appeals. To be responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring and review of the Council’s approach to Biodiversity Net Gain, including identification and development of potential habitat banks.
To represent the Council at volunteer forums and support voluntary groups which have positive links to biodiversity and natural capital in the borough
To prepare annual returns for external funding or management agreements
To engage with the community on Open Space management and biodiversity and encourage their involvement in programmes and projects contained within the BAP.
To provide advice to schools, colleges and community groups relating to biodiversity and positive land management techniques.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

Relevant degree or an equivalent combination of experience and other qualifications.
An excellent understanding of the Biodiversity Net Gain and Biodiversity Action Plan process and knowledge of biodiversity and natural capital issues and their importance within an outer London borough.
An awareness and understanding of legislation, national and regional policy which relates to biodiversity and natural capital, including an understanding of the statutory duty placed upon Local Authorities when managing Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other protected sites.
Knowledge of Planning in terms of protected species, priority species and priority habitats
Giving advice and preparing reports on biodiversity issues, including experience of commenting on planning applications and provision of advice to applicants prior to submitting planning applications
Experience of working with biodiversity data and biodiversity recording, and inputting and updating data using the Biodiversity Action Recording System.

A full job description is available on requestWhat we offer:

24 hour one on one specialist consultant based within your geographical area
4Recruitment Services Employee Benefits Programme
Our own dedicated payroll support ensuring you get the full benefits of your payment

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on or email .

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