Are you looking for an opportunity to work as a Biodiversity Officer and make a difference within Kirklees, whilst still being able to develop your career and have a good work-life balance?

At Kirklees we want to be innovative and creative in the way we work to deliver our service to our communities. We know significant challenges are ahead for the environment and have an opportunity for a Biodiversity officer to help address these within the Planning and Development Management service, focused on protecting and enhancing the varied wildlife of this part of West Yorkshire through delivery of the Kirklees Local Plan.

An exciting opportunity has opened for a Biodiversity Officer to work as part of a small team to provide professional advice, guidance, interpretation and evaluation of pre-planning enquiries, planning applications, and appeals in relation to biodiversity issues.

We are looking to appoint an experienced individual at Grade 11, the ideal candidate will have/is: 

• A relevant qualification in ecology or related subject, and/or experience in the field.
• Experience of dealing with biodiversity and wildlife conservation in relation to Development Management.
• Knowledgeable on wildlife law, policy and procedures relating to Development Management
• Experience in undertaking and interpreting biodiversity net gain assessments including the completion of a Defra based biodiversity metric
• Strong IT skills to support working with packages such as Word, Excel, and Access as well as specific IT packages.
• Strong written communication skills to be able to produce clear reports and documentation.
• Strong numeracy skills to be able to perform accurate financial and arithmetical calculations.
• Have the ability to demonstrate excellent customer service and excellent interpersonal skills at all times.
• An excellent team player and works hard to direct and contribute to team goals.
• The ability to work flexibly including occasional evenings.
• Knowledge of ecosystem services and interrelationships with other services and departments. Good knowledge of wider sector / external influences.
• Experience of partnership working.
• Experience of representing the ecology and biodiversity to external audiences.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

If you are interested in a very varied role which gives you the opportunity to use your knowledge and experience in to contribute the ever-growing Planning and Development Management division in Kirklees, please apply below!

The council is moving towards a hybrid way of working with a blend of home and office based for staff. Further details will be available on request.

Please see the attached Job Profile and Context Sheet for more information about this role.

Provisional Interview Date: 20th January 2022

Closing date  

09 January 2022, 11:55 PM

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Important Information

Job Profile (2).pdf – 133KB 

Focus Sheet (2).pdf – 176KB