Environmental Officer in Stewartby

The role focuses on working with the WMA Environmental Manager to ensure standard IDB operations, such as routine watercourse maintenance or water level management activities, prevent environmental harm and deliver IDB BAP actions to enhance biodiversity objectives wherever possible. The role also includes proactive engagement with project managers prior to and during delivery of small to medium size watercourse improvement projects—ranging from culvert replacements to watercourse restorations and Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes—to ensure these projects prevent environmental harm, minimise ecological disturbance and enhance biodiversity wherever possible. The role is based in Stewartby, Bedfordshire and primarily supports the Upper Ouse Water Management Board; some travel may be required across the wider WMA catchments, predominantly to Norfolk, Suffolk and South Lincolnshire, including to the WMA’s Head Office in King’s Lynn.

Responsibilities

• Undertake ecological surveys and assessments, including habitat and species surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments, Water Framework Directive Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments.
• Write, critically assess, review or present reports quickly, clearly and concisely for a variety of stakeholders.
• Attend sites to ensure compliance with environmental procedures established in the Standard Maintenance Operations Policy and to conduct specific surveys as required.
• Assist with tasks and projects identified within each IDB’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
• Ensure Health and Safety is paramount at all times and promote and achieve Health and Safety objectives.
• Interpret relevant legislation to understand IDB obligations, including applications for licences or assents on behalf of the IDBs.
• Consult with internal stakeholders (engineers, technical support teams and operations teams) and analyse existing data sources.
• Liaise and negotiate with external authorities such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, NGOs and local interest groups to build positive working relationships.
• Provide advice to the Sustainable Development Team and Compliance Team to ensure the IDB’s environmental obligations are met when regulating third-party works.
• Respond to enquiries from the general public, attend meetings and undertake routine correspondence.
• Investigate and report on environmental non-compliance.
• Maintain an ecological records system and report findings to the Local Biodiversity Records Centre.
• Apply and adhere to all WMA/Board policies.
• Assist with monitoring compliance with the ISO 14001:2015 environmental quality standard across the WMA.
• Keep knowledge current through continuous professional development.
• Maintain filing and administrative systems as required.
• Be willing to travel and stay overnight on occasion, depending on which Board requires service at the time.
• Deputise for other team members when required.
• Handle any other duties that may reasonably be required.
• Be physically fit to walk around watercourses and drainage catchments, often in inclement weather; such areas may be difficult to access, dirty, remote or heavily vegetated.
• Occasionally work outside normal office hours to represent the Water Management Alliance and its member Boards at public meetings, events, and committees.
• Carry out all work in accordance with relevant Water Management Alliance, Board and Departmental policies and procedures, legislation, and customer needs.
• Adapt to new or emerging legislation that may alter the remit of the role.
• Actively consider the impact of working arrangements on the organisation’s carbon footprint, reviewing the necessity of printing hard copies and advocating for alternatives such as video conferencing.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in ecology or full membership with a professional environmental subject, or significant accreditation body (most likely CIEEM).
• Licence holder for one or more protected species.
• Eligible to apply for full membership with species (e.g., Bat, GCN, Water Vole) through a professional accreditation body (most likely CIEEM).
• Valid CSCS card for site and construction work.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of two years relevant work experience as an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECOW) or in an ecological role.
• Experience undertaking Protected Species Surveys (water voles, reptiles, engineering techniques, water bats, badgers).
• Experience producing Habitats Regulation Assessments and Water Framework Directive Assessments.
• Experience working under protected species licences, notably Water Vole and Badger licences.

Desirable

• Experience working with land drainage management.
• Experience working under protected species licences.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Full and valid driving licence.
• Understanding of GIS software.
• Knowledge of ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 environmental legislation.
• Ability to interpret and apply technical information (e.g., technical plans for proposed projects).
• Ability to prioritise effectively and organise workloads to meet deadlines.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex material, with a methodical approach and attention to detail in record keeping.
• Ability to competently use computer software such as Microsoft packages.
• Well-developed written and spoken communication skills (letter writing, presentation skills, interpersonal communication).
• Ability to work well with others at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Ability to work independently.
• Resilience and persuasiveness, able to deal with challenges and questions confidently.
• Creative problem-solving skills, identifying areas for development and improvement.