Senior Planning Ecologist 

Salary range: £46,857 - £49,890 p.a. inc. London weighting

Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.

The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.

The Post

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Planning Ecologist to join our busy Spatial Planning & Transportation team. Your role will be crucial in taking forward Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) ensuring this work plays a key part in tackling the climate and ecological emergency within Brent. The role will provide support to Development Management to discharge their planning duties in a way that meets the requirements of the Environment Act as well as work closely with Planning Policy, Parks and Open Spaces and Climate Change teams to protect and enhance Brent’s biodiversity.

You will be part of the Planning Policy team within Spatial Planning & Transportation. You will be responsible for taking a proactive approach to BNG and will provide the Planning Service with biodiversity and ecology expertise, inputting into strategically important planning applications, masterplans, site allocations and planning guidance and briefs.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a highly performing team.

This permanent post with flexible working arrangements is based at Brent Council’s award-winning offices which are within walking distance of Wembley Park station

The Person

You will have a positive approach to work recognising the important role nature conservation plays in ensuring the council delivers good growth and positive change for all Brent’s communities.

You will need to understand the BNG requirement and play a key role in ensuring it delivers real benefits for nature conservation for Brent. You will be passionate about delivering tangible benefits and improvements to nature conservation and biodiversity and make a positive contribution to the delivery of the service and wider objectives of the council.

You will need to have an excellent grasp of planning policy implementation in relation to biodiversity when commenting on planning applications.

The ability to build relationships across service areas (internally & externally) and drive effective community engagement will be key.

We are serious about supporting and enhancing nature conservation and we want to hear from people passionate about ecology and biodiversity who can realise this important council objective.

You will have a Postgraduate degree in Ecology, or a subject closely related to ecology, environmental management or environmental planning

Closing date: 3rd December 2023 (23:59).

Additional Information 

If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the criteria on the Person Specification. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement.

Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.

We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.

Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.

As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including “non-visible” disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@brent.gov.uk