The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

We are looking for an experienced and knowledgeable individual to head up our work on protected species. In particular, you will be responsible for administering and managing our “protected species organisational licence” which allows us to carry out certain activities that impact protected species without direct oversight from Natural England (NE).  

You will build and maintain a community of registered users who are able to use this licence. You will produce and update guidance and work with external providers to source the training needed to be considered as a registered user. You will report on the use of this licence to NE and work with them to update the terms of the licence so that it continues to meet our needs.

You will provide protected species advice to colleagues across the EA with varied experience and will seek opportunities to improve the way the EA uses this licence and interacts with protected species more broadly, minimising impacts on both species and our operations in the process.

You will also help us learn from any mistakes we make by assisting in the review of internal incidents relating to protected species, reporting your findings and using these to produce Environmental learning from Experience Notices (ELENs) that will minimise similar or worse mistakes being made in the future.

Biodiversity Services is a dispersed national team in Nature Recovery, and part of the Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate. We work with operational, technical and project teams across the country, supporting people to deliver better biodiversity outcomes that create a better place.

We do this through providing training, advice and guidance across a range of technical areas, including protected and priority species, biodiversity net gain and wider project and service delivery. 

We are looking for someone with the following skills and experience:

Essential:

Relevant experience in the fields of biodiversity and/or ecology

Knowledge and experience of protected species, e.g. licencing, mitigation, translocation, enhancement. 

Well organised and able to meet tight deadlines

Works effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Actively encourages others to consider diversity issues in their work

Networks and builds trusting working relationships across the business

Desirable:

Member of a relevant professional organisation e.g. CIEEM

Experience of writing ecological guidance and developing and delivering training materials.

Experience of working on projects or schemes affecting water voles, badgers and bats.

Holds or has held one or more protected species licences or has worked with other under the terms of such a licence.

Solves problems, innovates and explores better ways of doing things.

A range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid.

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact [email protected]

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.