Planning Ecologist (joint role with LB Redbridge)

Joint Borough Planning Ecologist – a shared role between London Borough of Newham and London Borough of Redbridge

£51,093 - £54,129 per annum

About the Job

This role is a brand new and unique opportunity to shape two of London’s most dynamic councils and help create a greener, more resilient, bio-diverse slice of north-east London. This is a vital role to support both councils to deliver our climate commitments and meet our new requirements to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain 

Both councils are committed to working together, acknowledging the importance of cross boundary projects, and learning from each other to implement best practice in relation to Biodiversity Net Gain, Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation and other ecological projects. 

The role will be directly employed by the London Borough of Newham, in the planning service, but will split their time evenly between both councils. The role will work closely with colleagues across both councils, including the parks services, climate emergency teams and highways.

About Newham

Newham will offer you a unique working environment within a London borough that is at the centre of many of Europe’s most exciting regeneration projects - including the Royal Docks (the new location for the Mayor of London’s City Hall) and Stratford (where the London Legacy Development Corporation’s planning powers will shortly be returning to the borough). The Draft Local Plan sets out 44 site allocations where numerous brownfield sites will be transformed into homes and new developments. As such, the next 5 to 10 years offer a huge opportunity to ensure that some of London’s largest developments include significant space for nature.

There are 25 public parks in Newham and numerous green spaces totalling around 25,947 hectares of publicly accessible green space. In addition to the green space, the Royal Docks were once the largest enclosed docks in the world and is a 250-acre expanse of water. We’re also edged by three rivers – the Thames, Lea and Roding – all of which have significant opportunities to improve biodiversity and access to nature. Despite these important natural facilities, green space covers only covers 13% of Newham compared with 39% for London as a whole. Newham is committed to addressing this deficiency, and our declaration of climate emergency and forthcoming Just Transition Plan will set out ambitious steps to improving green cover, access to greenspace and improving biodiversity fairly and with our residents at the heart of this work.

About Redbridge

Redbridge is an ambitious and exciting east-London borough. We're one of the fastest growing parts of the country and the third most diverse London borough. Our communities are attracted by a mixture of excellent schools, relatively affordable housing, high-quality open space and rapid transport connections into the centre of the city.

This is an exciting time for the London Borough of Redbridge; we are at the heart of regeneration and change in East London, with unprecedented investment in the area expected in the next few years due to the transformational opportunities for new homes and jobs brought with the  Elizabeth Line  We benefit from excellent transport links across London and Essex and our offices, based in Ilford, are only 9 minutes from Stratford and 18 minutes from Liverpool Street.

Redbridge is an outer London borough benefitting from a mixture of environments ranging from urban spaces to Green Flag parks, to award-winning country parkland such as Hainault Forest, Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation and Green Belt spaces. It has a comprehensive green and blue infrastructure network that encompasses half the borough. A spine of this infrastructure follows the River Roding from the north to the south of the borough, and there is an important area of greenspace in the north-east of the borough surrounding Fairlop Waters and Fairlop plain. There are 52 SINC sites in the borough, 4 local nature reserves.

The Redbridge Corporate Plan 2022-2026 sets out “Clean and Green” as one of the four key thematic areas for the Council to focus delivering in the borough. This includes delivering the Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2024 which has the twin aims of mitigating emissions within the Council’s control and adapting to a changing climate. 

Redbridge is committed to meeting its biodiversity duties as well as key objectives as set out in its Climate Change Action Plan and Green Urban Landscape Policy for Council Maintained Land to benefit its diverse communities and businesses.  You will play a vital part in helping the Council maximise its potential to deliver key objectives for nature conservation, biodiversity and access enhancements through new developments, biodiversity offsetting, strengthening the green and blue infrastructure network and Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace provision.

About You

We are looking for a candidate with knowledge of, and experience in, ecological assessments and projects. You will have an understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain requirements and its practical application through the planning system. You may not have worked in a Local Government setting, but are committed to our objectives and share our ethos. 

We are committed to supporting the right person develop their skills and therefore expect you to be interested in learning and development and excited about being part of a new, emerging and fast changing area of local government practice. 

You will be self-sufficient and proactive, comfortable working independently, but enjoy sharing your expertise, bringing colleagues up to speed and along with you and working collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders. 

You will be organised and happy working in a busy environment, able to balance and prioritise competing objectives. 

Applying for this role

Please submit your application via the online portal, including providing details of your education, qualifications and work history. All applications should be accompanied by a supporting statement which outlines, in no more than x2 A4 sides, why and how you meet the criteria for this role. Please give specific examples wherever possible. Please note, CVs on their own will not be considered for shortlisting.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/6851/ecologist-jd

Closing date: 15th March 2024

Additional Information

Newham has a flexible working policy and we are open to considering proposals as to the exact pattern of work, such that hours can be arranged around you and your family's needs, as well as our business needs.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. Your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share Newham's vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham is a Disability Confident employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and meet the essential criteria as specified in the Job Profile will be guaranteed an interview.

Priority consideration on all advertised roles will be given to London Borough of Newham Redeplo