Marine Major Casework - Terrestrial Ecology Lead Adviser (Ref: 5306)
Natural England
Closing Date: Friday 22nd September 2023
Reference number: 307527
Salary: £27,273
Location: East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber
Job summary
This position is based nationally
Job description
Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural Environment?
If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.
The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:
• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive.
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change.
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods.
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature.
• Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing.
We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.
Job description
The Lead Adviser (Marine Major Casework – Terrestrial Ecology) will work across the Southern North Sea remit and play a central role in the delivery of Natural England’s formal technical advice on the terrestrial ecology elements of major development in the marine environment.
This role will initially focus on the delivery of terrestrial elements around offshore renewable energy.
The post holder will:
• Act as terrestrial lead and build expertise in the delivery of Natural England’s advice on marine Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and other major developments in the Southern North Sea.
• Deliver timely and evidence-based advice on the terrestrial elements of major developments, working closely with lead advisers acting as the case lead, national specialists, and senior and principal advisers to ensure our advice is quality assured and robust for external use.
• This will include (but not be limited to) the review and comment on Environmental Impacts Assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments and supporting survey / modelling / technical reports during the project pre-application and application phases and work with developers to ensure all potential environmental impacts of developments have been fully addressed.
• Provision of statutory advice to competent authorities within specified statutory timeframes.
• Provision of comments, advice and guidance to developers on pre, during and post construction monitoring techniques / surveys and reports, under Natural England’s Discretionary Advice Service where appropriate.
• Provision of advice to competent authorities/decision makers on whether or not Development Consent Order requirements have been met.
• Identify any risks associated with the delivery of this work and ensure they are escalated appropriately within the project case team.
• Work effectively within Natural England to ensure join up in our advice on development and planning.
• Participate in relevant internal networks to ensure exchange of information and best practice and assist broader development of understanding within the wider organisation.