35161 - Biodiversity Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology team as a Biodiversity Officer covering Devon on a 12‑month maternity cover contract.

We work with government, local authorities, businesses and communities to make our environment cleaner, safer and healthier for people and wildlife. Addressing the causes and impacts of climate change is central to what we do, and biodiversity plays a key role in building resilience.

In this role, you will use your technical biodiversity expertise and influencing skills to support our operational and project teams, ensuring we operate in compliance with environmental legislation while protecting and enhancing Devon’s diverse habitats and species. You will work closely with field teams and other internal functions, as well as providing advice to external partners and stakeholders.

Additionally, you will

• Provide internal and external consultations on biodiversity matters across a range of Environment Agency activities
• Support operational field teams to ensure works are compliant with legislation and environmental best practice
• Screen and advise on programmes, plans and projects for biodiversity impacts
• Provide expert input on permits, consents, licences and planning applications
• Identify opportunities to achieve multiple environmental benefits, including nature-based solutions and natural flood management
• Integrate biodiversity enhancements into plans, projects and strategies

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be asked to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment, and full training will be available to support you with your incident role.

The team

You'll be part of a passionate, collaborative and knowledgeable Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology team, covering Devon. This team sit within Local Operations Directorate and the Water, Land and Biodiversity Department.

The team plays a key role in supporting flood and coastal risk management, asset maintenance, environmental improvement programmes and partnership projects. We work closely with operational teams and external partners to deliver habitat creation, river restoration, and environmental compliance across the area.

Experience/skills required

We're looking for an individual with strong technical knowledge and the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with partners.

• Educated to degree level in an environmental discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• Strong knowledge of biodiversity, water dependent habitats and species, and their ecological requirements
• Good understanding of environmental legislation including Habitats Regulations, Wildlife and Countryside Act, Water Framework Directive and related policy
• Experience of providing advice or consultation on environmental impacts, ideally within an operational or regulatory context
• Ability to work effectively with field teams and influence positive environmental outcomes
• Knowledge of riverine processes and an appreciation of engineering and mitigation approaches
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience of building effective working relationships
• Ability to manage workload and deliver outcomes to time
• Knowledge of invasive species

Knowledge of natural capital and the ecosystems approach would be advantageous.