Your new companyA specialist ecology, land management and arboricultural consultancy based in the East Midlands. A wholly owned subsidiary of a Trust, all profits are gift aided to the Trust to support nature conservation. Over the last 30 years, they have gift-aided over GBP1m which has been used to fund habitat conservation work across nature reserves and other wildlife conservation activities and campaigns.This association ensures that they play a key role in the circular economy of delivering advice that meets the needs of developers, planners, utility companies, local authorities, government agencies, but also helps conservation by securing re-investment in other habitats that need protection.Your new roleYou will contribute to the delivery of the Biodiversity Plan through creating a Biodiversity Inventory of Network Rail Eastern Region. They will then use this information to produce Route Biodiversity Action Plans (RBAP) and Habitat Management Plans (HMP). These documents will detail how the organisation will manage their asset to increase biodiversity.Responsibilities:

Review existing records to identify key habitats and species on, or alongside infrastructureWork with the Technical Authority team and external stakeholders to create a Biodiversity Inventory - a baseline of ecological data from which KPIs can be set and monitored.Undertake Biodiversity Opportunity Mapping (BOM) and seek opportunities to link up 'biodiversity hotspots' through nature corridors and B-LinesPrioritise areas for action along each area to maximise the contribution of land holdings to Nature's RecoveryCreate Habitat Management Plans for the habitats within area of responsibility, determine the monitoring and assurance requirements and review and update the plan at the end of each control periodDevelop long-term management objectives that align to strategy, including biodiversity objectivesDefining the management required for a given habitat type and, where necessary, identify changes required to existing habitats to enable transition to a preferred habitatResponsible for developing and managing the delivery of Route Biodiversity Action Plans and Habitat Management PlansLead on the design and execution of fieldwork and protected species workProvide support and leadership to Operational Ecologists and colleaguesSupport the Project Manager with liaison with stakeholdersWork with Maintenance Protection Coordinators to ensure all proposed plans are compatible with the safe operation of infrastructureProvide input into annual 'State of Nature' ReportsProvide input into the assurance process for offset proposalEnsure that H&S systems are followed and undertake any compulsory training required.Maintain records to support the compliance with Business Management System (ISO 9001 & 14001) including contribution to regular audits and annual compliance visits as required.Produce HMPs which provide a set of interventions for maximising biodiversity in the light of other constraints.Produce HMPs which prioritise the establishment of high value habitats for biodiversityDefine habitats according to UKHab Classification using baseline information gathered by Operational EcologistsProduce detailed and clear RBAPs and HMPs to be used by internal stakeholdersSet biodiversity objectives which are achievable and consider operational constraintsPrioritise biodiversity interventions based on constraints and potential benefitsUndertake monitoring and reporting on progress of habitats towards desired objectivesDefine methods for capturing and storing protected sites and species information What you'll need to succeed

BSc Environmental Science, Ecology or similar - MSc is desirableExtensive experience of ecological survey and assessment, including protected species surveys, and licencing.Extensive experience of nature conservation advisory work and habitat evaluation using UKHab ClassificationExtensive experience of sourcing and interpretation of ecological data.Extensive experience of licence applications and complex mitigation design.Extensive experience of designing and delivering complex surveys and bespoke mitigation design.Experience with Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations and improvement recommendations.Experience of managing relationships with clients and sub-contractors.One or more protected species survey licences including ideally a Level 2 bat licence.Demonstrable experience in wildlife mitigation, having previously acted as Named Ecologist on Natural England mitigation licences for bats, great crested newts or other European Protected Species.Licensed barn owl surveyor (CL29) would be desirable.Tree climber qualified to City & Guild NPTC Level 2 award in tree climbing & aerial rescue would be desirableOther communicatory, organisational skills as necessaryFull UK Driving licence What you'll get in return

GBP33,000 - GBP44,000 p/annum DOEFlexible working options and a healthy work-life balance encouraged28 days annual leave plus public holidays8% employer pension contributionHealth payment planPersonalised Development programme designed to enhance your knowledge and progress your careerPayment of professional membership feesOpportunity to work on high profile projects with nationally significant clients, and on smaller scale conservation-focused projectsThe majority of our projects are within an hour of our office. Overnight stays are infrequent. What you need to do nowIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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