Senior Biodiversity Officer

Oxfordshire based

Hybrid Working – TBC

Rate: £25.54 PAYE / £34.04 Umbrella

We are seeking an experienced Senior Biodiversity Officer to join the Environment & Heritage Team within the Environment and Circular Economy Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in shaping biodiversity strategy, ecological planning, and nature recovery across the county. The successful candidate will provide specialist biodiversity and ecology advice supporting planning and policy functions, including highways, Regulation 3 developments, and minerals and waste applications. The role will also support Biodiversity Net Gain delivery, habitat protection, strategic environmental planning, and partnership working across Oxfordshire’s thriving biodiversity sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert biodiversity and ecological planning advice across development management and strategic planning functions
• Lead on biodiversity policy, strategy development, and consultation responses
• Support and monitor Biodiversity Net Gain delivery and environmental gain projects
• Represent the Council at planning committees, inquiries, consultations, and public meetings
• Develop systems for biodiversity monitoring, reporting, and developer contributions including S106 and CIL
• Undertake habitat and species surveys within areas of competence
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, statutory bodies, NGOs, local partnerships, and community groups
• Support delivery of the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy
• Provide ecological advice across operational services including highways, estates, schools, and property
• Deputise for the Landscape & Nature Recovery Team Leader when required

Requirements:

• Strong professional experience in biodiversity, ecology, and planning
• Excellent understanding of environmental legislation, Habitat Regulations Assessment, and Biodiversity Net Gain
• Experience working within local authority planning or environmental services
• Ability to communicate complex ecological advice to a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong partnership working and project management skills
• Experience managing consultants, surveys, and ecological data

To find out more information please contact Lily at Lilye@4recruitmentservices.com

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. We are an equal opportunity agency.