Principal Biodiversity & Landscape Officer
37 hours per week
£30,598 - £33,291 per annum (pay award pending)
County Hall, Worcester

Worcestershire has an exceptional natural environment, rich in wildlife habitat of international, national and regional importance set within landscapes of outstanding beauty and diversity. The dual objectives of the County Council's Strategic Planning and Environmental Policy Team are: to provide leadership in the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment and to promote and deliver sustainable development within the County. We are now looking to fill two key appointments so that we can realise these objectives.
Principal Biodiversity and Landscape officer - In this exciting opportunity, under the supervision of the Team Leader, you will lead and develop the County Council’s work on landscape and nature conservation as we look to plan for the growth proposed within the Regional Spatial Strategy and adapt to the challenges of climate change. Duties will include making a significant contribution to the Council’s corporate position on strategic conservation issues and representing the Council at a senior level. Your advice and reports will play a leading influence in the development of environmental initiatives such as the Landscapes for Living project and a countywide Green Infrastructure strategy as well as further progressing our work on Landscape Character Assessment. You will also oversee the provision of the Council's ecological and landscape response to planning consultations and advise upon implementing the NERC duties in regard to the activities of the County Council in its management of land and buildings. You will manage the multi disciplines of our environmental policy specialist’s; ecologists and landscape officers and in partnership with Natural England and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust manage the LBAP team and their work programme. Holding a degree in ecology, landscape architecture or similar, you will ideally have substantial experience and knowledge of ecology, landscape character assessment, planning and sustainable development, with a demonstrable track record in integrated conservation and planning, preferably gained from working within the local government sector. A flair for managing projects and communicating with members, senior officers and external organisations will also be essential.
We are an excellent rated authority and can offer flexible working, free car parking, childcare vouchers, final salary pension scheme, flexi time, a great location in which to live and work, as well as a strong commitment to continued development of its professional staff. This includes support for formal skills training and in-house learning such as recognised management qualifications, which this post would be eligible for.
Enquiries/ Forms: Please phone (01905) 765765 or you can apply on line at www.worcestershire.gov.uk

http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/wccindex/wcc-job-index/wcc-jobs-v...

Closing Date:26th September 2008
Interview Date:22nd October 2008