Ecological Surveyor

Overview

Are you passionate about botany and ecology? Do you have specialist skills in species identification and surveying? Are you driven to make a difference to protect the natural environment?

An exceptional opportunity has become available for an enthusiastic ecological surveyor to join the team at the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre. The role will utilise specialist botanical and ecological skills to drive the identification and designation of new Local Wildlife Sites, to benefit the natural environment.

The successful candidate will use developed communication skills to liaise with landowners around access to survey and to provide conservation management advice. Species identification skills and habitat knowledge will be utilised to create survey reports with information about species and habitats. IT and GIS skills will be used to create new digital maps.

If you are excited by this position and feel like you could play a key role in the team, then we would love to hear from you!

About us

BMERC is a friendly and professional team, aligned closely with the Council’s Ecology Team. We hold wildlife records of flora and fauna in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes plus information about local sites such as Local Wildlife Sites and Local Geological Sites, Milton Keynes Wildlife Corridors and Road Verge Nature Reserves. We also hold data on NERC Act S41 Habitats of Principal Importance and other important conservation areas such as Biodiversity Opportunity Areas.

The team collects, processes and provides data and we manage an environmental database with currently over 3.6 million records. We also deliver and support projects, train and work with volunteers, advise landowners, and work with stakeholders and counterparts locally and nationally. BMERC is one of 5 environmental specialist teams that sit within the Planning and Environment service. Together we share a passion to protect, promote and manage the unique local natural environment.

Working with us will give you the chance to make a significant and lasting positive impact for the wildlife and people of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, helping us to deliver our conservation objectives across the county.

About the role

In this role you will undertake ecological surveys with a particular emphasis on botanical and habitat characteristics. You will be reporting on the quality and condition of sites and recommending designation to the Local Wildlife Sites Selection Panel. You will also provide conservation management advice to landowners and stakeholders across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Working with the rest of the team you will provide training, advice and support to colleagues and volunteers alike, promoting the benefits of Local Wildlife Sites and good quality conservation management in a wider forum. You will use the latest GIS technology to capture environmental information and support environmental records data processing to keep the BMERC environmental database up-to-date.

There will also be opportunities to both get involved in wider BMERC team projects and activities, for example relating to nature recovery and supporting biological recorders, and for training and development, such as progression through the Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) levels.

The role is currently based at Council Offices in Aylesbury. Hybrid working is available, and you can be based away from the offices up to 3 days per week. During survey season, this will often be field based visits. The successful candidate will need to work across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, and a full driving license and use of own vehicle is essential.

About you

The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, self-motivated and confident to work alone in the field as well as in the office. You will have a degree / HND (or equivalent) in ecology or a related field, or at least five years’ relevant experience including botanical field surveying. You will also enjoy species identification, the use of specialised taxonomic keys and liaising with experts, including county recorders and species specialists.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, passionate and ambitious about their role in respect to wildlife conservation and biological recording. You will also be committed to working collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders and the public to secure the best outcomes. You will have up to date ICT skills and an interest in utilising the latest GIS technologies.

You will have a full driving licence to enable you to effectively undertake survey work across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes and will be able to prioritise and organise your work to ensure deadlines are met.

Other information

This is a full-time, permanent position.

Grade 5: £35,089 - £36,502

Closing Date: 30th November

We expect to notify shortlisted applicants and conduct interviews by the first week of December. Interviews will be held in-person and will consist of:

1. A botanical field survey test
2. A formal face to face interview

For an informal chat about this role in more detail, please contact Phil Simpkin, Ecology & BMERC Team Leader on 01494 421829 or [email protected]

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/