Biodiversity Net-Gain (BNG) Lead Consultant

• Job type Permanent
• Location: Midlands / Northwest
• Working Pattern Flexible Working,Full-time
• Specialism Environment
• Industry Engineering
• Pay Competitive DOE

Your new company

My client's people design, maintain and transform the nation’s strategic assets and deliver the critical services the country relies on every day. They are committed to doing this sustainably and by working in partnership with the communities they serve, so people and the planet are protected. When you join them, they can offer flexibility, career development, a choice of benefits and support that help you through all life’s ups and downs. You have freedom to perform because they know if nothing holds you back, together, you can be exceptional. Whether it’s working on the biggest bridge in the country, learning to get to grips with the latest technology, or just working with a great group of people every day, you’ll find what gets you out of bed in the morning.

Your new role

As a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in delivering my client's commitment to achieving biodiversity gains throughout the project lifecycle on large million-pound high profile infrastructure schemes. You will be responsible for assessing, planning, and implementing strategies to ensure that clients achieve Biodiversity Net Gain targets set by local regulations and international standards.

Your Environment & Sustainability team will work alongside the award-winning design, maintenance and construction teams who transform our roads, railways and public buildings and deliver the critical support services the country relies on every day. You will do this by leading and guiding the team with strategic planning, surveying, and forecasting strategies, to ensure the best outcome for the wildlife and biodiversity. Leading the team to make sure the work completed is aligned to the current environmental laws and striving to raise the standards of their technical reporting and project delivery efficiency.

Responsibilities:

• BNG Assessment: Conduct thorough biodiversity assessments and ecological surveys to identify existing biodiversity and ecosystems on development sites. Analyse the potential impacts of proposed projects on biodiversity and evaluate the scope for Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Biodiversity Planning: Develop customised Biodiversity Net Gain plans and strategies for different development projects. Collaborate with project teams, clients, and relevant stakeholders to integrate biodiversity enhancements into project designs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Stay up to date with relevant biodiversity and environmental regulations, ensuring that all projects comply with local laws and international best practices related to Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Ecological Mitigation: Design and implement ecological mitigation measures to offset any negative impacts on biodiversity caused by development activities. These measures should be ecologically sound and contribute significantly to Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Biodiversity Monitoring and Reporting: Establish monitoring protocols to track biodiversity enhancements and assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures over time. Prepare comprehensive reports for clients, regulators, and stakeholders to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain achievements.

• Mentor the ecology team members ensuring their professional development needs are identified and delivered.
• Support in managing ecology team resourcing, including hosting resourcing calls and ensuring workload trackers are used effectively as well as inputting into future recruitment needs.
• Share industry updates, and changes to ecology guidance and legislation with the wider ecology team; driving continued professional development.
• Implement innovation; by working with innovation teams to introduce new products and practices which enhance efficiency.
• Support in maintaining and updating technical ecology report templates and guidance to ensure excellence and consistency in team delivery.
• Provide technical review and comment on ecology reports and deliverables.
• Identify, forecast and resource ecological survey requirements in relation to both design and construction programmes.
• Coordinate and plan the delivery of all ecological surveys and technical reporting required as part of planning and licence applications; utilising and managing both the in-house ecology team and external ecological subcontractors.
• Undertake the role of Ecological Lead for projects providing advice and direction to the ecology and environmental teams as well as the design teams and Principal Contractors to ensure compliance with legislation, licencing and planning commitments.
• Organise and co-ordinate meetings with Local Authority ecologists and other stakeholders as required.
• Attend engineering integration meetings and be able to authoritatively communicate key ecological requirements to ensure they are captured within preliminary and detailed design.

What you'll need to succeed

• A strong undergraduate degree in Ecology, Zoology, Botany, Biology, Environmental Science (with a strong ecology focus) or similar/equivalent.
• A minimum of 10 years demonstrable post-graduate experience preferably in a professional ecological consultancy role encompassing large rail/infrastructure projects.
• Full Membership of CIEEM or equivalent with expertise in protected species surveys.
• EPS Mitigation licence application experience and Protected species licence holder or working towards same (notable species: bats & dormice).
• Experience of undertaking BNG assessments
• Strong understanding of legislation and policies surrounding the various aspects of BNG assessments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation and ecological survey methodologies.
• Experience in Invasive species survey and management.
• Excellent reporting writing skills with experience in drafting & critically reviewing ecological reports; including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments and Method Statements.
• Experience of working closely with regulatory authorities and various stakeholders.
• Experience of managing a team of ecological consultants and/or third-party contractors.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to plan and deliver works in line with budgets and programme deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss ecological issues and capture feedback.
• Health and Safety awareness, especially safe working practices and risk assessment related to ecology fieldwork.
• Valid driving licence.

What you'll get in return

• Annual Salary - Competitive DOE
• Career Development - Exceptional development and progression plan
• Pension – Generous Pension scheme which they will contribute to
• Holidays - Minimum 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Choices - Their flexible benefits scheme is tailored by you, including buying additional annual leave, cycle2work scheme, charity giving and gym membership
• Save - Their online voucher portal gives you access to thousands of discounts from leading retailers to help you save on shopping, days out, or nights in. It includes healthcare, free GP service, dental vouchers
• Social Value - You’ll get 2 Community Involvement Days each year to volunteer for a charity of your choice and further opportunities to support fundraising initiatives
• Much more...

What you need to do now

If 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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