Biodiversity Lead Officer

Biodiversity Lead Officer needed Swindon Paying  £44.45 per hr Ref OR5570

Full time hours on a temporary basis

• Overview: We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Biodiversity Lead Officer to provide senior-level ecological and arboricultural expertise. This role supports planning functions in a customer-focused and solutions-led manner, creating the right conditions for accelerating high-quality development and supporting sustainable growth in Swindon.

  Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide expert ecological and arboricultural advice on major development proposals.
  • Contribute to the formulation and monitoring of Development Plan policies and supplementary planning documents related to ecology and trees.
  • Collaborate with the Strategic Lead for Sustainability & Climate Change to engage with Natural England and other bodies on matters of ecology and trees.
  • Lead on ecology projects and initiatives, including the District Level Licensing (DLL) scheme and Nature Recovery Networks (NRN).
  • Offer consultee advice on applications for significant works to protected trees and ensure the Borough’s tree stock is actively reviewed and recorded through GIS platforms.
  • Provide expert advice on quantified tree risk assessment, including dangerous trees and tree-related subsidence claims.
  • Deliver training and updates to colleagues on aspects of ecology and keep planning teams informed of key changes in environmental legislation, systems, or processes.
  • Support the Chief Planning Officer in unlocking planning barriers and providing the appropriate policy context for key regeneration projects.

If you are interested in the role, please email your CV to [email protected] quoting the reference number. 

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please be prepared