Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£31,022 per annum

About the Role
The Planning Ecologist Technician will assist Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority in nature conservation, enhancing the National Park’s wildlife, and promoting biodiversity. You will contribute to planning policy formulation, guidance development, and development management casework to ensure compliance with statutory obligations and biodiversity duties. Working collaboratively with officers, Members of the Authority, and other stakeholders, you will provide ecological expertise within the planning function.

Your main duties will include acting as a point of contact for ecological matters related to planning, supporting the provision of specialist advice on ecological and biodiversity issues including nutrient concerns, and assisting the Senior Planning Ecologist in developing advice, policy, and supplementary planning guidance. You will provide input on pre-application enquiries, planning applications, and consented developments affecting landscape features, designated sites, priority habitats, and species within required timescales.

Additional responsibilities include assisting with planning obligations to secure biodiversity enhancements, monitoring implementation of biodiversity gains and protected species mitigation, supporting Appropriate Assessments for European Designations, responding to Environmental Impact Assessment screening and scoping requests, and providing comments on Environmental Statements. You may represent or assist in representing the Authority at public meetings, planning appeals, inquiries, court cases, and committee meetings.

You will also assist with advice and quality control for assessments and works related to statutory undertakers’ infrastructure affecting Authority land, landscape features, designated sites, and priority habitats. Conservation advice on reinstatement, restoration, and ecological enhancement works will also form part of your role. Other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post may be assigned by the Director of Planning and Place or the Chief Executive.

Experience
- Knowledge and understanding of legislation, policy, and guidance affecting natural resource management and development management
- Understanding of ecology, survey methodologies, habitat management, and restoration
- Good understanding of how development affects the natural environment and how to conserve, restore, and enhance ecological features
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of organisations and individuals including the public, applicants, and agents
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Organisational and interpersonal skills to support complex work areas
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team with flexibility
- Diplomatic skills in dealing with the public, National Park Members, staff, and stakeholders
- Valid full driving licence

About you
You are motivated to support biodiversity and conservation within a planning context, able to manage multiple responsibilities, and keen to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. You demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, and a commitment to the National Park’s objectives.

Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent in Ecology or related subject (essential)
- Postgraduate qualification in Ecology or related subject (desirable)
- Minimum of 1 year experience, ideally within a protected area, local planning authority, or conservation organisation providing conservation policy advice and development management support (desirable)
- Experience in habitat assessment, management, and creation (desirable)
- Full membership of CIEEM or working towards this status (desirable)
- Understanding of SEA, EIA, and HRA principles and legislation (desirable)
- Basic knowledge of the planning system including legislation, procedure, and guidance (desirable)
- Working knowledge or willingness to develop skills in geographic information and spatial modelling systems (desirable)
- Welsh Language Level 0 (essential), Level 1 (desirable). The Authority offers support to meet Welsh language requirements during employment.