Location
Crawley, West Sussex

Hours
Full time, with occasional evening and weekend working as required. Flexible hybrid working model combining site visits, office collaboration and home working.

Salary
£40,446 per annum

About the Role
Are you passionate about protecting nature and creating thriving green spaces? Do you want the opportunity to shape biodiversity policy across an entire borough, engaging with leaders and elected members to leave a lasting environmental legacy? We are looking for a Biodiversity Project Officer to help deliver our ambitious plans for enhancing biodiversity, adapting to a changing climate and establishing a centre of excellence for urban ecology. This is an exciting opportunity to establish habitat banks and innovative nature-recovery initiatives and ensure nature recovery is embedded in our development and planning processes. This role places you at the heart of the council, working with parks, conservation, built environment, planning and sustainability teams to halt biodiversity loss, improve habitats, coordinate climate adaptation and increase access to green spaces for our residents.

You will:
- Establish Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) habitat banks and attract investment in green infrastructure
- Lead on BNG delivery for council-led development projects
- Undertake or commission ecology and habitat surveys
- Develop and oversee biodiversity management plans for individual sites
- Support the creation of a borough-wide biodiversity action plan
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, communities and external partners

You will also liaise with ecologists across the region to help deliver local nature recovery strategies. This role will include outdoor site work and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, offering a varied and hands-on working environment.

This is a fixed term contract for two years with potential for extension if funding allows. The role requires the ability to travel independently around the borough to undertake site visits. Crawley Borough Council is based in a modern Town Hall opened in 2023, located a short walk from the town centre and railway station. Crawley offers a thriving business district and excellent transport connections including nearby Gatwick Airport.

Experience
- Strong understanding of biodiversity, habitat management and ecological planning
- Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), the Environment Act 2021, and planning policy
- Experience in applying BNG metrics and delivering biodiversity enhancements
- Experience undertaking and commissioning ecological surveys and producing clear, accessible reports
- Experience working with stakeholders and managing environmental projects

About you
You will be highly organised, proactive and able to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment. You combine technical ecological expertise with strong communication and project delivery skills.

Qualifications
A degree or equivalent experience in ecology, environmental management or a related field is required.