Biodiversity Project Officer (Crawley Borough Council)

The Sustainability Team is responsible for Action Plans related to the Council’s Climate and Nature Emergency Declarations, which include commitments to reduce carbon emissions, halt the loss of biodiversity, and improve air quality in Crawley.

The team works in partnership with services across the council, providing expert advice and support to ensure that the Climate and Nature Emergency Action Plan is delivered effectively to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate.

The team work with external groups across the borough to build engagement with businesses, community organisations and residents to help them understand the causes and impacts of climate change, to act on it, and to realise the co-benefits.

The team also works with local authorities across the region to learn from and share best practice and ensure a consistent area-wide approach to the climate and nature emergencies.

MAIN PURPOSE OF POST:

Build capacity within the Council to ensure that biodiversity is enhanced across the borough through the following activities.

  • Exploring and making the case for establishing habitat banks for Biodiversity Net Gain within the borough and seeking further investment in green spaces across Crawley.
  • Conducting biodiversity surveys (or commissioning consultants to conduct them) and drawing up biodiversity management plans as part of planning applications for council-led residential developments to minimise delays through the planning process.
  • Working in partnership with Community Services to develop a borough-wide strategy for protecting and enhancing biodiversity, providing leadership and support to enable the council to deliver its statutory duties on preventing the loss of biodiversity.
  • Increase engagement and understanding of opportunities from investment in biodiversity and the value of green spaces to the health and wellbeing of Crawley residents.

SPECIFIC DUTIES OF POST

  • Lead the design of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) plans for the Council’s own housing and infrastructure developments and planning applications (as applicant), working with the Built Environment team, Neighbourhood Services team and the Local Planning Authority to reduce the risk of delays to housing delivery and the cost of applications.
  • Carry out biodiversity surveys (or commission surveys from external consultants) as needed to identify habitats and species on council development sites and green spaces,
  • Oversee the development and management of on-site BNG plans, working with Neighbourhood Services to reduce the risk of delays to the Council’s housing and infrastructure projects and ensuring BNG funds generated from developments in Crawley are reinvested in biodiversity in Crawley,
  • Explore and progress opportunities for BNG habitat banks on Council-owned land to provide a legacy of long-term protection for public green spaces in Crawley, working with colleagues in Neighbourhood Services and the Parks and Conservation teams to develop a business case to identify payback and justify financial investment,
  • Explore grant funding opportunities and work with others to prepare and submit applications and managing successful bids.
  • Support the development of an area-wide Biodiversity Action Plan setting out how the Council will halt the loss of biodiversity in Crawley in accordance with the Council’s Nature Emergency Declaration (December 2024),
  • Enable the Council to deliver on its statutory duty and policy objective of halting the loss of biodiversity in Crawley by 2030,
  • Support the development of plans for climate adaptation to reduce the impact of extreme heat and surface water flooding which are significant risks for the borough,
  • Ensure the Council has skills and capacity needed to deliver long term protection of green spaces and maximum quality of life benefits for residents leading into Local Government Reorganisation and advise on issues relating to urban ecology as needed across the wider area.
  • To carry out such duties as the line manager may, from time to time reasonably require.
  • The post holder may be required to work outside in all weather conditions and capable of moving on foot & standing still for long periods of time on different surfaces and possess the ability to perform physically demanding tasks as a regular part of the job.
  • To carry out all duties in accordance with relevant legislation, Council policies, procedures and standards.
  • To actively promote the Council’s Corporate Equality Statement and demonstrate the standard of conduct which prevents discrimination taking place.
  • To ensure full compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Council’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and all locally agreed safe methods of work.
  • To share the Council’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk as outlined in the CBC Safeguarding Policy.
  • To ensure that all duties are carried out in compliance with both environmental legislation and a commitment to the Council’s Environment Policy.