Are you passionate about protecting our environment and driving positive change? Do you have a keen interest in ecology and a strong understanding of biodiversity? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!
WMCA’s Natural Capital Programme is seeking a talented Ecology Advice Officer to join our team. You will play a crucial role in providing expert advice and support to colleagues across the WMCA and Transport for West Midlands on ecological matters, ensuring that our projects and initiatives align with the latest policies and best practices.
Please note this role is being advertised as a two-year fixed term contract. Find out more on our Natural Capital programme here www.wmca.org.uk/nature
What you will be doing.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders within the WMCA and TFWM organisations.
- Provide expert advice on biodiversity and ecology matters, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines.
- Support the design and planning of projects, incorporating ecological considerations to minimise impacts and maximise benefits.
- Stay up to date on the latest policies, legislation, and guidance related to biodiversity and ecology.
- Advise on the management of land assets for biodiversity enhancement.
- Conduct research and present findings to influence decision-making.
- Prepare and deliver progress reports to the Environment Team and senior management.
- Support the management of consultant-led projects including budgets and delivery.
- Contribute to the overall success of the WMCA Natural Capital Programme.
What’s Essential.
- Track record of successful client and /or stakeholder engagement.
- Experience using and interpreting the DEFRA Biodiversity Net Gain metric.
- Proficiency in compiling, interpreting, and reporting on ecological data.
- Understanding of ecological impact assessment and protected species reports.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information to a diverse audience.
- Knowledge of the planning and development process regarding Biodiversity Net Gain and ecologically important features.
How to apply.
On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will be prompted to register for an account, which you can do using your name and email address. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV when registering. Uploading your CV will auto-populate the employment and education sections of your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have submitted your application. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to check the information is correct and format your profile so that it really stands out. You will be asked to provide a supporting statement which should fully outline your suitability for the role, highlighting how your skills and experience match the essential job criteria. If you already have one that you have prepared earlier, you can simply copy and paste this into the application form. For more information on how to apply, please visit the FAQ page on our career site.
Reasonable adjustments.
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk). We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.
Salary and benefits.
We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK), 28 days paid annual leave (plus an option to purchase more!), ethical saving options and healthcare plans, paid volunteering days, free financing for the latest technology, discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.
Hybrid working and location.
We believe hybrid working is the best way for our organisation to fulfil our commitment to a modern, agile workplace while continuing to provide a great service to our customers. Hybrid working means having flexibility between working in the office and at home on agreed days, where a role allows.
The location for this role is Summer Lane, Birmingham. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 2 days a week spent in the office. Please note, this is the minimum expectation.
Creating an inclusive workplace.
We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. We believe that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.
WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.
We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.
We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future that we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants will need to evidence that they have the legal right to work in the UK, in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.
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