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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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