At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and assess habitat creation projects to enhance biodiversity across England.
- Company: Join Environment Bank, a leader in restoring natural habitats and reversing biodiversity loss.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and ongoing career development.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent growth opportunities and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on ecosystems while working with a passionate and diverse team.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and strong understanding of habitat management principles required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About us At Environment Bank, we’re working together to help restore natural habitats across England. With thousands of acres of new habitat creation already underway, our projects are delivering biodiversity gains and helping vital ecosystems to recover and flourish. Our diverse team includes ecologists, land managers, habitat specialists, geospatial analysts, planning advisors, account managers, digital creatives, legal experts, and more. From our site managers to our sales and marketing teams, everyone at Environment Bank is a champion for our values, working towards our goal of reversing biodiversity loss. Environment Bank is a market-leading organisation in a sector that’s experiencing rapid growth. We’ve already built a highly skilled team of experts and we’re actively looking to expand our team in the coming months. We’re incredibly proud of all we achieved so far and we’re still growing. If you’d like to be part of a driven organisation that’s making a real difference, find your next role with the team at Environment Bank.
About the role The Habitat Buildability Specialist sits within a multidisciplinary design team and provides speciality habitat creation, enhancement, restoration and management input to ensure that off-site Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Habitat Bank proposals are technically robust, spatially coherent, and deliverable in principle. The role focuses on supporting ecologists in the design team to ensure that proposed habitats designed can be realistically established and managed over the required 30-year period. The post supports the design of a wide range of habitats including woodland and scrub, species-rich grassland, wetlands, and associated infrastructure, with an emphasis on feasibility, buildability, risk reduction, and long-term performance at the design stage rather than on-site delivery. Rather than leading the delivery of one or two specific habitat banks, the role will be regionally based and will support across multiple projects, providing technical input, reviewing designs, and supporting the development of habitat bank proposals and management approaches across the portfolio.
We are looking for a Habitat Buildability Specialist in the North and also the South.
Responsibilities
- Develop and refine Habitat Bank layout designs in line with ecological design principles
- Assess the buildability of habitat proposals at design stage, identifying constraints and design risks early
- Evaluate site constraints including soils, hydrology, topography, access, land use history, and surrounding land management, and integrate these into design solutions
- Provide expert advice on habitat feasibility, establishment risk, and long‑term condition targets to inform design decisions
- Review habitat creation, enhancement and management proposals to ensure they are realistic, compliant, and aligned with best practice
- Prepare habitat creation and enhancement specifications, including methods, materials, tolerances, and establishment requirements, to inform cost planning and budget forecasts
- Produce and coordinate technical habitat drawings using GIS and/or CAD to feed into detailed design
- Support the preparation of Habitat Management Plans (HMPs) and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs) from a design perspective
- Provide technical input to consenting, including planning applications, afforestation consent, and related approvals
- Coordinate closely with ecologists, hydrologists, land managers, and other stakeholders to ensure integrated and buildable designs
- Provide technical mentoring, support, and quality assurance for junior staff
- Attend site visits to assess and determine the potential for habitat creation and enhancement proposals
EDI & Belonging
At the heart of Environment Bank are the people who make it all possible. We employ individuals who share our passion for delivering our mission and living our values. We believe that fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us more innovative, dynamic and competitive. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and experiences. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone is valued and respected, free from discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status.
Essential skills/experience
- Degree‑level qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience
- Strong applied understanding of habitat creation, restoration and management principles
- A specialism in one or more habitat types (e.g. grassland, woodland, scrub, wetlands, open mosaic habitats)
- Experience of reviewing soil analysis reports and interpreting their implications on achieving different habitat types and conditions
- Experience contributing to the design of ecological restoration sites
- Experience developing technical specifications that inform procurement strategies, contractor tendering, and cost planning
- Proficiency in GIS and/or CAD software to develop and review technical habitat layouts (e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, or similar)
- Ability to interpret survey data, constraints information, and technical drawings and convert them into coherent ecological designs
- Good stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Strong technical communication and design review skills
Desirable skills/experience
- Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain and the statutory Biodiversity Metric
- Good technical report writing and review skills
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary design environment
- Full UK clean driving licence and willingness to travel
Benefits
- Performance-based annual bonus up to 10% of salary
- Pension scheme with employer-matched contributions at 6% of salary
- 30 days of annual leave, plus paid bank holidays, birthday, and wellbeing day
- Option to purchase 5 additional days of annual leave after probation
- Hybrid flexible working options
- Regional and departmental team co‑working days
- Expenses-paid whole company meet twice a year
- Team fundraising and charity events
- Ongoing career development with training and mentoring
- Medical cash back scheme to cover everyday healthcare costs
- Employee assistance mental wellbeing support
- Enhanced sickness pay allowance
Habitat Buildability Specialist employer: Environment Bank
At Environment Bank, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to restoring natural habitats across England. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration among diverse professionals, offering ample opportunities for career growth and development through ongoing training and mentoring. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide generous benefits such as a performance-based bonus, flexible working options, and a supportive environment that values every individual's contribution to our mission of reversing biodiversity loss.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Habitat Buildability Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Environment Bank. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your previous habitat projects. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your expertise in habitat creation and management.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for the interview! Research Environment Bank’s projects and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Tailor your answers to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to restore natural habitats.
We think you need these skills to ace Habitat Buildability Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Biodiversity:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for biodiversity and habitat restoration shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at Environment Bank, so share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to making a difference.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Habitat Buildability Specialist role. Highlight your skills in habitat creation and management, and don’t forget to mention your experience with GIS or CAD software. We love seeing how you can contribute to our diverse team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised as we review applications.
How to prepare for a job interview at Environment Bank
✨Know Your Habitats
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of different habitat types, especially those mentioned in the job description like grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. Be ready to discuss how you would approach their creation and management, as this will show your understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Since proficiency in GIS and CAD software is essential, prepare to discuss your experience with these tools. Bring examples of technical habitat layouts you've developed or reviewed, and be ready to explain how they contributed to successful projects.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your communication skills by discussing past experiences where you coordinated with various stakeholders. This could include ecologists, land managers, or contractors. Show that you can effectively engage with others to ensure integrated and buildable designs.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. For instance, you might be asked how you would evaluate site constraints or manage risks in habitat proposals. Think through potential scenarios and how you would address them, demonstrating your analytical skills and practical approach.
