Swyddi ar lein
Assistant Ecologist
£37,336 - £39,186 a year | Permanent
- Reference:
- 23-25601
- Job title:
- Assistant Ecologist
- Directorate:
- North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent
- Service:
- Business and Statutory Unit
- Closing date:
- 30/11/2023 10:00
- Job type/Hours:
- Permanent | 37 Hour
- Salary:
- £37,336 - £39,186 a year
- Pay Scale:
- PS1
- Location(s):
- See Job Advertisement
Details
Job Advertisement
Assistant Ecologist
SALARY: PS1 (SCP 29-31) £37,336 - £39,186
Hybrid working – working two
days from one of the below office locations
LOCATION : Bangor, Conwy, Halkyn, Llandrindod, Aberaeron, Dolgellau, NewtownThe Assistant Ecologist will be responsible for assisting NMWTRA Ecologist, and the Environmental
Team with implementing the requirements of Welsh Government (WG) policy and environmental
legislation such as Wildlife and Countryside Act 1980 and Section 6 of Environment Wales Act. To
provide professional ecological advice and support to NMWTRA and our partners regarding the
assessment, impact and mitigation of our operations on ecology and biodiversity, ensuring NMWTRA
is both compliant with legislation and maximising biodiversity opportunities.
Work within the Environment Team to manage the soft estate inventory including the identification of
the location and condition of ecological assets. The Assistant Ecologist will also propose, design and
manage a programme of ecological enhancement projects developed from routine and reactive
maintenance activities associated with the soft estate and environmental management, assist the
Ecologist and Environment Team and other NMWTRA staff with obtaining NRW licences where
required and discharging any conditions and requirements such as surveys, monitoring and reporting
to ensure compliance, and work with the Environment Team to manage projects related to ecological
enhancement and mitigation worksIf you have any specific queries relating to the above posts, please contact Hannah Jones on 07773 616096.
For this post, the ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable.Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information Pack
Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.
We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.
(Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)
Application forms and further details available from, Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH
Tel: 01286 679076
E-Mail: swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru
CLOSING DATE: 10.00 AM, THURSDAY, 30/11/2023.
If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.
Person Specification
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
ESSENTIAL
Ability to work in a team environment
Self-motivated, committed and with personal initiative
Well-developed interpersonal communication skills with ability to inspire and motivate others.
Ability to work safely under pressure and to deal with tight deadlines.
Able to work with limited supervision, to prioritise own workload
Good organisational skills, innovative and forward thinking
Ability to communicate in a courteous, tactful and diplomatic way when dealing with contentious issues, understanding policies and constraints of others.
Ability to provide guidance, manage, supervise and lead on ecological matters within NMWTRA teams and projects.
Ability to perservere with achieving ecological best practice and legislative compliance when this is not always a popular decision with others
Ability to work in consultation and partnership with external organisations and consultants.
Dedicated to accuracy and delivery of tasks to achieve best outcome for environment.
Evidence of commitment to continuing personal and professional development.
Frequently work hours which are outside normal hours as requiredDESIRABLE
Good written and verbal communication skills in both the Welsh and English language.QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING
ESSENTIAL
Degree or MSc in Zoology, Botany, Ecology or a relevant ecological subject.
HNC/HND/NVQ (Level 4) in an ecology related subject and at least 5 years' experienceDESIRABLE
Membership of relevant professional body eg CIEEM
Holder of Protected Species Licences for example; bats, dormice, great crested newts
Undertaken training for specialist species mitigation
Undertaken training in Habitat Classification
Undertaken training in species identification
Undertaken training as an Ecological or Environmental Clerk of Works
Undertaken training in Ecological Survey techniques
Attended courses in use of IT: eg Excel, Word, GIS
Attended training in Traffic Management eg New Roads and Streetworks Act Chapter 8 and National Highway Sector Scheme 12D(M7)
Appropriate LISS/CSCS accreditation
Health & Safety trainingRELEVANT EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
Experience in undertaking ecological surveys for species and habitats.
Understand the ecology of a range of common protected species
Experience in identification of a range of common UK species and habitats
Had involvement in the development of species or habitat mitigation and enhancement works.
Experience in applying for and obtaining licences for Protected Species and Sites
Good understanding of relevant Wales/ UK Environmental Legislation especially for Nature ConservationDESIRABLE
Experience in developing specialist mitigation and enhancement measures for protected species
Experience in successfully working as an Ecological or Environmental Advisor for planning, development, or infrastructure projects.
Experience as an Ecological Clerk of works for Projects
Experience in working with others to develop resolution to conflicts between ecological and engineering or other requirements
Experience in undertaking Phase 1 surveys and/or UKHabs habitat mapping
Wide range of experience of ecological, environmental and habitat management.
Experience with Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments
Experience in delivering and managing projects for wildlife and habitat mitigation and enhancement
Experience in procurement and managing budgets.SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE
ESSENTIAL
Ability to use Geographical Information Systems (GiS), capture data in the field, analyse and manipulate data, produce maps and reports.
IT literate - use of Word, Excel spread sheets and databases.
Skills in concise report writing, data management and interpretation.
Ability to scrutinise reports and documents produced by others to ensure that content is satisfactory.
Well-developed oral and written communication skills to a wide range of audience. Ability to motivate and educate others.
Practical skills in identifying main species groups and knowing where to find further information.
Problem solving skills and finding ways to resolve conflict and achieve quality results.
Knowledge of UK nature conservation legislation, wider environmental legislation, standards and and Industry Good Practice guidance
Health and Safety awareness
Current valid Driving LicenceDESIRABLE
Ability to undertake specialist surveys eg botanical surveys or specific species surveys such as bats, dormice, otters, badgers, water voles.
Experience in using a range of specilalist wildlife detection equipment such as bat detectors or trail cameras.
Experience of using Highways related guidance eg Design Manual for Roads and Bridges
Experience of working on transport infrastructure projects and management of the Soft Estate.LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
DESIREABLE
Listening and Speaking - Entry Level
Able to pronounce the names of places and people correctly. Able to follow instructions and understand simple conversation through the medium of Welsh and English on familiar matters and respond to simple requests for informationReading and Understanding - Entry Level
Able to read and understand short and simple letters, e-mails, leaflets, and signs in Welsh and English on familiar everyday issues, in order to convey them to someone else.Writing - Entry Level
Able to write a simple message requesting or giving information about familiar everyday issues in the workplace.
Job Description
Purpose of the Post.
• To assist NMWTRA Ecologist, and the Climate Change and Environmental Team with implementing the requirements of Welsh Government (WG) policy and environmental legislation such as Wildlife and Countryside Act 1980 and Section 6 of Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
• To provide professional ecological advice and support to NMWTRA and our partners regarding the assessment, impact and mitigation of our operations on ecology and biodiversity, ensuring NMWTRA is both compliant with legislation and is maximising biodiversity opportunities.
• Work within the Climate Change and Environment Team to manage the soft estate inventory including the identification of the location and condition of ecological assets.
• Propose, design and manage a programme of ecological enhancement projects developed from routine and reactive maintenance activities associated with the soft estate and environmental management.
• To assist the Ecologist, the Climate Change and Environment Team and other NMWTRA staff with obtaining NRW licences where required and discharging any conditions and requirements such as surveys, monitoring and reporting to ensure compliance.
• To work with the Ecologist to obtainprotected species licences and protected site assents and progress with developing Programme of Works Licences for Protected species to the satisfaction of Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
• To work with the Ecologist and NRW to develop a reporting system for compliance with licences.
• To work with the Ecologist to further develop the Trunk Road Environmental Checking System for all scales of works to ensure NMWTRA remains legally compliant.
• To work with NMWTRA and WG and partners to develop and contribute to Biodiversity and Nature Recovery Action Plans.
• Undertake site surveys and monitoring visits as required to ensure that NMWTRA staff/ partners/ consultants and WG Transport Major Projects are operating in compliance with legislation, policy, best practice guidelines and related documents eg CEMP, HEMP, EIA and NRW licence commitments.
• Specify, programme and undertake or procure specialist ecological surveys and monitoring visits and report on these.
• Develop recording systems and databases to capture information about ecological management and surveys.
• To provide direct ecological support and technical advice NMWTRA Environmental and Project teams including review of internal and external documents, surveys and reporting, technical advice and attendance of meetings.
• Work with Ecologist, and the Climate Change and Environment Teamto manage projects related to ecological enhancement and mitigation works.Responsibility for functions . e.g. staff, budgets, equipment
• Thermal Camera and monocular– arrange periodic servicing and callibration
• Bat detectors – arrange periodic servicing and calibration
• Trial cameras
• Endoscopes for bat surveys
• Binoculars
• Tablet / laptop
• Mobile phone
• Welsh Government and NMWTRA environmental asset management and recording databases
Main Duties
Management• To provide direct ecological support to NMWTRA staff including Maintenance, Inspection and Project teams including review of internal and external documents, surveys and reporting, technical advice and attendance of meetings.
• To deputise for the Ecologist or other members of the Climate Change and Environment Teamwhen required.
• To manage external service providers (specialist contractors and consultants / designers as a Project Sponsor )
• To act as a roving ‘Ecological Clerk of Works’ on NMWTRA projects to ensure works carried out to specification and according to licence requirements.
• To manage relationships and liaison with environmental partners and stakeholders.
• To assist and advise the Climate Change and Environment Teamand Welsh Government regarding improvements to biodiversity, landscape or environmental management.Ecological & Environmental Survey Function
• To undertake specialist ecological surveys of the soft estate on the trunk road network in accordance with Good Industry practice and appropriate licences held.
• To arrange surveys and manage records for protected species, pollinators and liaise with external bodies and specialists.
• Where additional specialist surveys required, but expertise for the species or group or habitat is not available from NMWTRA staff, draw up briefs and procure expert specialists to undertake ecological surveys or sampling and advice.
• Identify, risk assess and prioritise ecological asset and habitat defects.
• To assist the Climate Change and Environment Teamin the survey and management of the soft estate including trees when required.
• .To assist with the management of ecological surveys on trunk road network in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Government Trunk Road Maintenance Manual (WGTRMM) and Welsh Government asset management systems.
• Where high priority defects are observed inform the NMWTRA Climate Change and Environment Team, Operations Team and Route Management Teams (as appropriate) as soon as practicable to enable these to be rectified.
• Liaise with landowners or stakeholders (e.g. NRW, conservation organisations or Local Authorities) regarding environmental issues located adjacent to the trunk road.
• To assist the Police, enforcement bodies and Third Party Claims team by investigating pollution claims, damage or disturbance to ecosystems or protected species.Maintenance & Improvement Function
• Manage the procurement, commissioning and implementation of programmed, routine and reactive maintenance functions associated with the soft estate, for example:
• Annual programme for managing ecological assets eg bat lights, wildlife fencing, specialist wildlife mitigation measures
• To assist and provide emergency incident management support to the emergency services and NMWTRA in the event of a pollution or wildlife crime incident.
• Manage defect repairs and routine maintenance functions within available budgets and roadspace constraints.
• To provide support to NMWTRA teams and supply chain to manage the risks of damaging or disturbing ecosystems.
• To support the Climate Change and Environment Teamin the delivery of Welsh Government biodiversity objectives and Ministerial initiatives (e.g. Green Corridors) and the Nature Recovery Plan to meet Environment (Wales) Act 2016 requirements.
• Assist in the management of the NMWTRA Environmental Risk Database.Inventory Function
• Working with others in the Climate Change and Environment Team to develop systems to recordan inventory of ecological assets, findings of surveys and management data within the WG asset management systems and Geographic Information Systems.
• Working with others in the Climate Change and Environment Team to undertake inspections and surveys of the soft estate with particular emphasis on the biodiversity assets such as bat boxes, wildlife fencing, badger tunnels, hibernacula in accordance with WGTRMM and other commitments.General
• To supervise and provide guidance on work undertaken by service providers.
• To communicate effectively and courteously with elected members, the public, members and Welsh Government officers and other external organisations and bodies.
• To deal with complaints and enquiries in a courteous and professional manner whilst out on site and in the office.
• To co-operate and liaise with staff from other Departments of NMWTRAthe Council and Partner Authorities in order to promote the effective management of NMWTRA.
• To be responsible for self-development.
• Undertake any other proportionate and reasonable duties that correspond with the salary level and responsibility level of the post as required by the line manager.
• Operate within the Council’s policy and procedures in relation to equal opportunities and equality.Health & Safety and Environmental
• To comply with health & safety aspects of the inspection team including implementing risk management through compliance with for example established safe systems of work and operational risk assessments.
• To ensure that health, safety, environmental risk assessment processes are fully considered in all aspects of the work of the environmental service such as traffic management.
• It is the responsibility of every employee within the Agency to comply with the Health and Safety, environmental and quality policies as defined within the Agency Integrated Business Management System.
• Ensure that Health and Safety at Work and environmental legislation and policies are strictly adhered to.
• Undertake personal Health and Safety responsibility at all times.
• The post holder is expected to be aware of the requirements e.g. the Health and Safety legislation and to cooperate with the Council’s Health and Safety Manager to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements.
• Responsibility for self-development.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
• Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
• Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.Special Circumstances . e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.
• Requirement to work hours which are outside normal working hours (bandwidth 07:00hrs to 18:00hrs in accordance with the flexi hours scheme) as requested for example evening work to undertake bat surveys and / or weekend inspections within traffic management.
• Requirement that the post holder will undertake training as and when required. Work towards obtaining protected species licences if required.
• Attend occasional meetings in other parts of the UK (e.g. Llandrindod, Cardiff).