Biodiversity Data Officer – Berkshire (02236)

Biodiversity Data Officer – Berkshire (02236)

Planning

Environment

Market Street

£18,430 - £21,412 per annum. Grade F, SCP 21 – 26

Full Time: 37 hours per week

Permanent

Would you like to join our small team of ecologists, geologists and IT specialists collecting, managing and providing data about the natural environment in Berkshire and Oxfordshire?

The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) is looking for a field ecologist who has experience of Local Wildlife Site systems and a good knowledge of plant identification and survey methodologies. Project planning, IT and customer service skills are essential. TVERC operates on a ‘not for profit’ basis for the public benefit.

For an application form and information pack for these posts please call the 24-hour answerphone on 01635 519122 or email quoting the post number 02236. To be considered for these posts an application form must be completed. Applications received after the closing date cannot be considered.

Closing date: 30th January 2008

Interviews will take place on 14th February 2008

JOB DESCRIPTION

Authority: West Berkshire Council / Service Area: Planning and Trading Standards
Post Reference No.: 02236 / Location: Market Street, Newbury
Job Title: Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre – Berkshire Biodiversity Data Officer / Grade/Salary Range: F, £18,430 to £21,412

JOB PURPOSE

·  To collect, manage and provide environmental data to the standards necessary to function as a certified node of the National Biodiversity Network
·  To work as part of a team to help develop and deliver the Thames Valley ERC service such that it meets the developing needs for environmental data provision, management and collection expressed by local authorities, conservation agencies and the general public
·  To work as part of a team to increase the quality and consistency of environmental data recording in Berkshire

DESIGNATION OF POST AND POSITION WITHIN CORPORATE/SERVICE STRUCTURE

The Planning and Transport Strategy Area is divided into three groups: Planning and transport Policy, Development Control and Building Control.
The full time post is responsible to the TV-ERC Berkshire Centre Manager (see diagram below).
BACKGROUND
This is a permanent post within the small team of eight ecologists, geologist, information specialists and administrative staff who run the Local Environmental Records Centre service for the Counties of Berkshire and Oxfordshire (TVERC). TVERC was set up in 2003 and it is well supported by all the local authorities in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the local Wildlife Trust and local naturalists. The investment in TVERC by these organisations and individuals reflects the importance they attach to maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity resource of the Thames Valley sub-region.
The work of the Centre is overseen by a Steering Group of representatives from the organisations listed above. The Centre is one in a national network of Local Records Centres that are: ‘Not for profit services run in partnership for the public benefit, which collect, collate, manage and disseminate information of known quality relating to the wildlife, wildlife and geological sites and habitats for a defined geographical area’.
The TVERC Berkshire Biodiversity Data Officer is based at the West Berkshire Council Offices in Newbury. The post holder will also be required to work occasionally at the TVERC Oxfordshire office in Woodstock (which hosts the TVERC ‘hub office’) and to travel occasionally to local meetings in the County and to regional and national meetings elsewhere.
The post holder will be well supported by the small hub team (four staff) who provide supervision, administrative support, data management and data provision services and will work closely with the TVERC Berkshire Manager and other staff.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Berkshire Centre Manager to:
1.  To plan and undertake survey and resurvey of existing and potential Wildlife Heritage Sites (WHS) in Berkshire on an agreed cycle (including obtaining landowner consent)
2.  To capture WHS data to computer systems (Recorder and Mapinfo GIS) and maintain those systems
3.  To capture habitat and species data to computer systems, with particular focus on Biodiversity Action Plan priorities
4.  To carry out other reactive site surveys according to agreed service procedures / agreements
5.  To validate and verify imported data and implement TVERC common data standards and procedures in Berkshire
6.  To capture amendments to site boundaries and up-date those boundaries on GIS
7.  To support the volunteer recording network
8.  Other delivery of Service Level Agreement obligations, including answering local queries
SCOPE OF THE JOB (Budgetary/resource control, Impact)
·  Organise and undertake WHS survey according to the priorities established within each Berkshire Unitary Authority .
·  Maintain and enhance the species and habitat records for the county with a view to meeting suggested Best Value and National Audit Office targets for local authorities and National Biodiversity Network accreditation.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre – Berkshire Biodiversity Data Officer / Department/Division:
Planning and Trading Standards
Authority: West Berkshire Council / Post Reference No.: 02236

KEY CRITERIA

/ ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE

Experience

/ ·  2 years relevant experience, especially with Local Wildlife Site system management and/or survey projects
·  Project planning
·  Use of GIS (Mapinfo and/or ArcInfo)
·  Use of environmental data management systems e.g. Recorder
Skills and Knowledge / ·  Biological surveying, particularly botanical surveying
·  Good IT skills / ·  Knowledge of protected species legislation
Education and Training / ·  Member of Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and/or Institute of Biology
·  Degree in a natural science
·  Identification training for a range of taxonomic groups
Personal Characteristics / ·  Confidence in negotiating and liasing with land owners and others
·  Committed to service delivery and customer care
·  Confidence in undertaking unaccompanied site visits / ·  Able to recognise and report on opportunities for service improvements
·  An organised and adaptable approach
Other Work requirements / ·  Current driving license