Purpose of the Job

The LEADS team (landscape, ecology, archaeology, development sustainability) supports the County and most District planning authorities in Herts. You will also join the Team at a very exciting time as Biodiversity Net Gain and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy are implemented, a sea change in the profile and importance of ecology and the natural environment in planning and placemaking, and you will have an opportunity to be part of improving the ecology and biodiversity in this varied and attractive county.

The successful post holder will provide high quality information and advice to the County Council and Hertfordshire local planning authorities and developers to ensure that the natural environment is a key consideration when applications for planning permissions are considered, and ensure that site surveys and appropriate protection, enhancement and mitigation are properly undertaken.

You will represent the interests of the natural environment when supporting pre-planning advice, masterplanning and policy making, playing a role in giving a sense of place, identity and belonging. Your expertise and knowledge will help planners, developers and designers to improve the well-being of Hertfordshire’s natural environment.

Main Areas of Responsibility

1. To provide high quality, timely professional ecological advice to Hertfordshire planning authorities and developers in response to strategic planning consultations, planning proposals and other relevant land use or land management change. Advice and information must conform to relevant legislation and policy and professional standards and guidance.
2. To ensure proposals with a high ecological impact and/or which have a high social or political impact are identified and prioritised.
3. To support colleagues in the Ecology discipline and in local planning authorities to implement the requirements of protected species, Biodiversity Net Gain and LNRS in relevant planning applications.
4. To maintain and strengthen existing partnership arrangements with local planning authorities and assist in raising the prominence of the natural environment in the Hertfordshire placemaking and design agenda.
5. To input into monitoring reports prepared for local authorities and external bodies and ensure that all relevant casework information is recorded to the required standard.
6. To proactively engage with local, regional and national networks, including research frameworks. This will include representing HCC at relevant meetings, working groups and forums at a national and local level, including the Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE) and Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
7. To assist in the development of the LEADS service and to highlight opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the advice and support the Ecology discipline offers.
8. To play your part in embedding the sustainability aspirations of the County and District councils in everything we do.