NATURESPACE DISTRICT LICENSING – COUNTY NEWT OFFICER – 6 POSTS

Located in:

1. Staffordshire
2. Northants
3. Bedfordshire
4. Surrey
5. East Sussex
6. West Sussex

£28,000 pa + company benefits

Paid • Full Time • Permanent

The role(s)

In each of the counties covered by the NatureSpace District Licensing scheme, there is at least one ‘County Newt Officer’, and they act as the critical liaison point between the NatureSpace Partnership and Local Planning Authorities (LPA).

The main purpose of the role is to help the scheme run well for the LPA planning officers and ecologists, planning applicants and developers, and also to deliver great conservation outcomes for great crested newts (GCN). 

The Newt Officer will understand the extent, scope and detail of the scheme, raise awareness of the scheme internally within the LPA (especially with planning colleagues), understand planning and licensing requirements, ensure the required processes are followed internally, and monitor and advise on compliance and enforcement measures. The Newt Officer will also raise awareness of the scheme to developers, consultants and agents.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a critical role in a ground-breaking project, delivering a step-change in the conservation of GCN. The job would suit either a conservationist or a planner, either early or mid-career, looking to join a small, friendly company that is working with LPA and non-governmental organisations (NGO) to deliver better conservation outcomes.

Background

Natural England is rolling out ‘District Level Licensing’ across much of England. As part of this, NatureSpace manages a series of ‘District Licences’ which have been granted to LPA across central and southern England. The scheme allows LPA to authorise (under defined terms) activities that affect GCN at the same time as they grant planning permission. The NatureSpace District Licensing scheme has significant advantages for newts (and wider biodiversity benefits) through a fully funded long-term region-wide conservation strategy that creates high quality habitat at a landscape scale. The scheme benefits both developers and planners because the licensing process for GCN is simplified and streamlined.

The District Licensing scheme is administered by NatureSpace, adopted by the LPA, regulated and approved by Natural England and fully supported by the country’s leading amphibian and freshwater NGOs – the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust and the Freshwater Habitats Trust. The habitat creation, management and monitoring are delivered by a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society – the Newt Conservation Partnership, which works with landowners and managers to create and manage ponds and other habitats across the region.

Employment and location

These are all full time roles. The successful candidates will be employed by NatureSpace to support LPA in Bedfordshire, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex. 

NatureSpace Partnership is a small (25 staff) but busy and rapidly growing company. The successful candidates will be joining a friendly, close-working team of home-workers and will have responsibility for managing their workload and working independently, as part of a dispersed national team.

In Bedfordshire, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, East and West Sussex, the posts will be home-based but with regular visits to council offices to work alongside and support planning and ecology teams, and in Surrey, the Newt Officer will be based within the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Ecology Planning Advice Service in Pirbright, GU24 0JN.

The roles will be mainly desk based but will also require site visits across the county. There will also be some additional travel requirements for attending meetings and training sessions. The role requires high standards of self-management but is perfect for an independent and self-reliant home-worker.

Please indicate in your covering letter the regions that you are interested in applying for.

We offer a significant benefits package for all staff including flexible working with TOIL or overtime, 25 days annual leave (plus free holiday over the Christmas period) with flexibility to carry forward, an annual performance bonus of up to 20% salary, company pension contributions, company private health and life insurance, and an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.

Main duties

Raise general awareness of GCN licensing requirements and the optional licensing scheme

• Raise awareness of the scheme with developers, planning agents & ecologists – through LPA websites, literature, pre-application discussions, planning application responses & other correspondence 
• Promote the scheme and the newt conservation strategy to all appropriate LPA staff and council members.

Ensure good planning decisions

• Ensure LPA planning officers are familiar with the scheme and the process (dealing with NatureSpace certificates, reports and authorisations)
• Assess planning applications to ensure that developments properly identify and, where appropriate, address their ecological impacts (specifically impacts on GCN)
• Provide clear, timely, accurate and specific advice to ecologists and planning officers on any development in respect of GCN and the options/requirements for licensing, including the district licensing scheme
• Support planning officers to ensure that the District Licence requirements for developments wishing to use the scheme are converted fully and appropriately into planning conditions and authorisations at the appropriate time
• Monitor developer compliance with any newt-related planning conditions and advise planning and enforcement teams, NatureSpace and Natural England on any compliance and enforcement issues
• Undertake site visits and meetings as required, to provide advice and guidance on newt licensing requirements
• Lead/assist with the provision of training to council staff, councillors and others as necessary

Good communication

• Participate in and contribute to the Newt Officer network across England to ensure consistency and high standards
• Provide a point of contact for newt-related matters for planning authorities to liaise with NatureSpace Partnership, the Newt Conservation Partnership and Natural England as required
• Provide a point of contact for members of the public/consultants/developers and other interested parties who would like information and advice on the district licensing scheme
• Ensure relevant council staff and members are informed of the outputs and outcomes of the scheme, as appropriate.

Qualifications & experience, ideally:

1. A relevant degree and/or experience in nature conservation, ecology, environmental management or planning
2. Knowledge and understanding of the UK planning system, including ecological impact assessment and/or biodiversity in planning
3. Knowledge of European protected species legislation, licensing, planning and licensing policies
4. A genuine enthusiasm for ecology and conservation in the UK
5. A full driving licence with access to a car for business travel.

Key skills, ideally:

1. Highly organised, methodical, conscientious and self-reliant – able to juggle and prioritise multiple cases, enquiries and tasks, and work efficiently to meet tight deadlines
2. An excellent communicator with good inter-personal skills – able to liaise proactively and confidently with clients, consultants (e.g. ecologists, planners), planning and other regulatory authorities, NGO partners and colleagues
3. Highly literate, able to prepare documents quickly and diligently to a high standard, following defined processes, protocols and guidance.
4. Self-motivated and independent – able to work flexibly and with minimal supervision, as part of a small, dispersed team
5. Willingness and ability to travel locally around the County as necessary
6. Practical first-hand experience in GCN survey, mitigation methods and licensing
7. Competence in using GIS software, preferably ArcGIS or QGIS

How to apply:

Send your CV and a covering letter to jobs@naturespaceuk.com by 5pm on 5th August 2022 indicating which regions you are interested in.

For an informal discussion about the job please contact melanie.dodd@naturespaceuk.com