Biodiversity Officer (Net-Gain) – join our team and contribute to our high environmental standards and help to deliver biodiversity gains through development.

Biodiversity is now more important than ever in protecting our environment, safeguarding our future and in planning and managing development.  You’re going to have a big impact on what we do, so you’ll be trusted to take ownership of your work. You’ll have time to engage with partners inside and outside the organisation. To help safeguard and increase our ecological resources today and to create a better tomorrow. Create new spaces for wildlife that our residents also want to spend time in.

Because we’re Bracknell Forest

What it's like working in our team...

We are a small friendly team within Parks & Countryside.  Other teams you’ll get to know and work with include Rangers, Heritage Parks, Tree Officers and The Look Out Discovery Centre.  We work closely with other departments, including Planning and Highways.  Our working location is a mix of working from the office in Bracknell and working from home.  The team meets up online for informal catch ups.  

You will be supported to carry out the following duties, responsibilities and training...

• Development and co-ordination of systems to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as part of the draft Local Plan and requirements of the Environment Act.
• Monitoring habitat condition/type on enhancement projects and development sites. Liaise with developers and landowners to remediate any issues.
• Supporting Parks & Countryside service and other Council departments with ecological advice, including the Biodiversity Action Plan (new edition due in 2024), species surveys, education and communication both in-house and with external partners, and budget monitoring for BNG projects.
• Support land managers in ensuring effective consideration of biodiversity, including assisting in the preparation of site / asset management plans.
• Carry out species and habitat surveys to inform management, policies and plans.
• Identify funding opportunities for biodiversity related projects. Identify potential projects that are suitable for funding through developer contributions, including offsetting biodiversity net-gain.

The benefits you will experience...

• An inclusive and social working environment.
• Flexible working opportunities including a flexi-time scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Regular opportunities for development with internal and external training courses.
• A great office location next to travel links and the regenerated town centre.
• Internal sports and social club opportunities.
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership.
• Supermarket discount.
• An interest free loan for a rail season ticket.

What we're looking for...

We are looking for a person with knowledge and understanding of biodiversity, the principles of biodiversity net-gain and planning, countryside and sustainability issues.

Experience of habitat / species surveying and monitoring.

A degree in a biodiversity related subject.

Ability to work well as part of a team.

ICT Skills, including Word, Excel, Adobe, GIS.

Interview date

Interviews will be held w/c 19th June 2023.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Graham Pockett, Parks & Countryside Development Manager

Tel.: 01344 354107

As part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.

Any candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the the UK.

Any candidates that are currently residing in the UK and wishing to apply who would require sponsorship, can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria. 

No agencies please. 

Equal Opportunities

Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.