At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and enhance habitats while ensuring they are feasible and sustainable for the future.
- Company: Join Environment Bank, a leader in restoring natural habitats across England.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, hybrid working, and ongoing career development.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity and work with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field and strong understanding of habitat management principles.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ 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 will sit in the South, and operate within a multidisciplinary design team and provide specialist 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.
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: The Environment Bank Ltd.
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 in a rapidly expanding sector. With generous benefits such as a performance-based bonus, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, joining our team means contributing to meaningful environmental change while enjoying a supportive and dynamic workplace.
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 professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Environment Bank and understanding their projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their mission of restoring natural habitats. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about biodiversity.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it relates to the Habitat Buildability Specialist role. Keep it concise and engaging – think of it as your personal brand story.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Environment Bank.
We think you need these skills to ace Habitat Buildability Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Nature:When writing your application, let your love 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 the environment.
Be Specific About Your Skills:Make sure to detail your technical skills and experiences that relate directly to the role of Habitat Buildability Specialist. Whether it's your proficiency in GIS or your understanding of habitat management principles, we want to know how you can contribute to our multidisciplinary team.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the job description. Highlight your experience with habitat types and design processes that are relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Environment Bank Ltd.
✨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 habitat creation and management, and share any relevant experiences you've had in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Since proficiency in GIS and CAD software is essential, be prepared to talk about your experience with these tools. Bring examples of technical habitat layouts you've developed or reviewed, and explain how your skills can contribute to the design team's success.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your communication skills by discussing how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in past projects. Share specific examples of how you’ve collaborated with ecologists, land managers, or other professionals to ensure integrated designs.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, particularly regarding site constraints and design risks. Think of scenarios where you identified potential issues early on and how you addressed them. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and technical expertise.
