Candidate Information Pack
Assistant Conservation Officer (Planning)
Vacancy Details
Assistant Conservation Officer (Planning)
£18,000 – £20,000 pa
Belfast
The RSPB is seeking to appoint a new Assistant Conservation Officer (Planning). You will further the RSPB’s strategic conservation objectives and site safeguard work. In this role you will provide support and assistance with planning and conservation casework, environmental assessment and other consent/licensing applications, as well as relevant policy and strategy consultations. You will also provide support and assistance to the Site Conservation outcomes of the Saving Nature Strategy and build positive relationships with key decision-makers, external partners and stakeholders so that RSPB’s policies and messages are understood and furthered by decision-makers and within relevant partnerships and fora.
You will contribute to the delivery of RSPB NI’s funding and communication objectives, through communicating our conservation messages and securing income to help meet the outcomes of the regional, national and UK objectives for that species or habitat.
You will act as the main contact with the public and developers on planning queries, including use and promotion of the RSPB’s Wildlife Action Pack, and write briefing material on casework and planning issues for other members of staff and external audiences, as required.
You will be educated to at least A Level standard and have a good background knowledge of environmental and natural conservation issues including an understanding of planning systems, relevant policy and legislation in Northern Ireland. Knowledge of wildlife, habitats and delivery mechanisms will also be necessary.
Essential skills include excellent written and verbal communications skills, as will an ability to analyse significant quantities of information in a fast paced environment. A proven record of operating effectively in an environmental organisation with a demonstrable interest in land use planning and nature conservation are also essential.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities Employer
Based at The RSPB, Northern Ireland HQ, Belvoir Park Forest, Belvoir Drive, Belfast, BT8 7QT.
We have a role to play in protecting our environment by being as ‘green’ as possible. As a conservation organisation, we know a healthy environment is critical for nature and that we need to lead by example. Through our environmental management system (EMAS), we have an Environmental Policy, objectives and targets which prioritises where we can do most. All staff members are asked to respect and adhere to our green principles.
Closing date: 24 June 2015. Interview date: 1 July 2015.
How to Apply
If you have questions about the role please contact: Michelle Hill, Senior Conservation Officer (Planning):
We would invite you to complete the application form at the end of the pack and submit it to Susan Kula, Conservation Team Co-ordinator:
Please ensure your application clearly details how your skills/knowledge/experience demonstrates you are able to deliver on the key result areas.
Our policy is to recruit and employ our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be done. An application form allows us to compare individuals based on like for like information and as such we would not accept a CV for this role unless accompanied by a fully completed application.
/ JOB DESCRIPTIONJob Title / Assistant Conservation Officer (Planning)
Purpose of Job /
To further RSPB’s strategic conservation objectives/ site safeguard work by assisting with planning and other casework in Northern Ireland to ensure that the area’s most important habitats and species are protected.
Salary Range / £18,000 - £20,000 paDept/Reserve / Conservation Team, Northern Ireland
Primary Work Base / NIHQ Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast
Line Manager / Michelle Hill, Senior Conservation Officer (Planning)
Reportees / Volunteer/s (as required)
Main Duties
1. Provide support and assistance in the preparation of RSPB responses to planning and conservation casework, environmental assessments, and other consent/licensing applications, as well as relevant policy and strategy consultations.
2. Provide support and assistance to the Site Conservation outcomes of the Saving Nature Strategy.
3. Build positive relationships with key decision-makers, external partners and stakeholders so that RSPB’s policies and messages are understood and furthered by decision-makers and within relevant partnerships and fora.
4. Contribute to the delivery of RSPB NI’s funding and communication objectives, particularly through communicating our conservation messages and securing income to help meet the outcomes of the regional, national and UK objectives for that species or habitat.
5. Act as the main contact with the public and developers on planning queries, including use and promotion of the RSPB’s Wildlife Action Pack.
6. Write briefing material on casework and planning issues for other members of staff and external audiences, as required.
Other Duties
1. Coordinate the submission of relevant articles to the biannual RSPB publication Conservation Planner and, with Conservation Coordinator, ensure mail out to Northern Ireland audiences.
2. Reporting to the Senior Conservation Officer (Planning), chair the Partnership for Action against Wildlife crime NI (PAW NI) bird nest and bat disturbance sub group to achieve objectives on tackling wildlife crime.
3. Maintain close working relationships with all appropriate RSPB staff in Northern Ireland and elsewhere, and keep them informed about current work.
4. Act as Local Merlin Manager - to provide regional expertise in the Merlin Geographic Information System, offering technical advice to other regional users, and assisting the Conservation Data Management Unit (CDMU) in the regional maintenance of Merlin data holdings. The Local Merlin Manager will act as the key point of contact for the CDMU in their region.
5. Work with the Senior Conservation Officer (Planning) and Public Affairs Team to achieve successful implementation of a new RSPB category within the RTPI Sustainable Planning Awards (from 2016).
6. Develop a broad general understanding of the range of conversation policy areas and present a professional image of the RSPB in all external contacts.
7. Attend meetings within Northern Ireland and nationally, as required
8. Manage and develop volunteers to ensure the deliver of an agreed work plan.
9. Work closely with other staff to assist in a variety of work including media, fundraising, membership recruitment, events, enquires from the public and greening initiative.
10. Undertake additional duties as directed by line manager.
/ PERSON SPECIFICATION
PLEASE ASSUME REQUIREMENT IS ESSENTIAL UNLESS STATED AS DESIRABLE
Education/Qualifications
Education to A Level or equivalent
Knowledge
Good background knowledge of environmental and natural conservation issues, including an understanding of planning systems, relevant policy and legislation in NI
Knowledge of the wildlife and habitats of the operational area of this role
Knowledge of a range of delivery mechanisms for conservation work relevant to the operational area of this role
Knowledge of UK planning system and nature conservation legislation / Desirable
Skills
Ability to work effectively as a team player both internally and in external partnerships.
Excellent communication skills (verbal written and presentational)- including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences
Ability to quickly and accurately analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance workloads often to tight deadlines
Demonstrates attention to detail
Competent user of core MS Office programmes
Knowledge and experience of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) / Desirable
Confident advocating a position to key stakeholders, other third parties, statutory bodies and decision makers who have a diffident view / Desirable
Experience
Experience of working for an environmental organisation in either paid or voluntary role
Working or voluntary practical experience of the town and country planning process, environmental impact assessments or habitat enhancement projects / Desirable
Managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities / Desirable
Experience of productive partnership working / Desirable
Other
Demonstrable interest in land use planning and commitment to work in nature conservation
Determined, positive and robust but, diplomatic
Self-motivated, able to work on own initiative as well as within a team
Willingness to occasionally work evenings/weekends and ability to travel to rural and sometimes isolated locations.
Additional Information
The RSPB works for a healthy environment for all and we therefore expect you to take action in accordance with our Environmental Policy and objectives. Together we can make a positive difference for our world.
You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.
In the RSPB volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to the RSPB’s aim to take action for the conservation of wild birds and the environment. You will be expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement in our work.
How we expect you to work
The RSPB has seven key competencies that are important to our organisation’s success. We expect all employees to demonstrate the following behaviours in everything that they do:
Direction:
You ensure you have a clear direction and sense of common purpose that guides what you do and how you approach your work.
Energy:
You bring energy and urgency to the RSPB to motivate people to do the best they can.
Capability:
You build your own and other people’s capabilities, directly and indirectly.
Relationships:
You communicate effectively and build productive internal and external relationships
Change:
You support continuous improvement and change and constantly look for way to do things better.
Advocacy:
You act as an advocate for the RSPB.
Performance:
You get things done, achieve ambitious goals and the RSPB’s aims.
In addition, the following behaviours are essential upon appointment to this particular role:
· Customer focused and forms productive internal partnerships
· A solutions based approach to problem resolutions
· Encourages everyone to look at the bigger picture to achieve the RSPB goals over departmental objectives
· Encourages innovation and allows other peoples ideas to be developed
· Encourages others to buy into and support change
· Able to form productive relationships internally and share knowledge, offering co-operation rather that competition
· Surfaces and deals with conflict constructively
Who we are and what we do
The RSPB in a nutshell
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB):
· Was formed in 1889 to counter the barbaric trade in bird plumes for women’s hats
· Has since grown into a world-leading wildlife conservation organization and now speaks out for all birds and wildlife, tackling the problems which threaten our environment
· Has over a million members, including more than 200,000 youth members
· Has more than 2,000 active staff members and almost 18,000 volunteers, who donate more than a million hours of their time – that’s the equivalent of 600 full-time staff
· Has a NET income available for charitable purposes of £89.3 million
· Has more than 200 nature reserves covering 143,7800 hectares and home to 80% of our rarest or most threatened bird species
· Has a UK headquarters, three national offices and eight regional offices
· Has a network of over 150 local groups and more than 150 youth groups
· Has an impressive global reach, with active projects and capacity building programmes in 26 countries and 8 UK Overseas Territories
· Is the UK partner and leading player, in Birdlife International
· Has the largest charity mail order operation in the UK, and also has the UK’s most successful charity credit card
Volunteers
Volunteers founded the RSPB 125 years ago and remain a vitally important part of the organization today; there are approximately nine volunteers for every paid member of staff
Our volunteers bring a unique range of skills and qualities to the RSPB, help stretch our scarce resources and keep us in touch with grass roots.
Our Strategy, Mission and Cultural Values
Our Strategy
Our vision: A world richer in nature
Imagine this. Wild birds and other wildlife will no longer be declining. Nature is restored, enriching and sustaining the lives of people as a result. Such a world would guarantee that future generations have clean air and water, a stable climate, abundant and diverse wildlife, and a robust, diverse and sustainable economy.
Our long-term purpose: saving nature
We believe that:
· There is a moral imperative to save nature
· Nature is crucial for peoples quality of life and the planet’s life support systems
· Birds are an integral part of the web of life
· We are well placed to stand up for birds and all nature
· The challenge is great, we must work with others to succeed
· We need growing popular support
Our Mission
By 2020…
Our work is both urgent and important and we need to act now to make a difference. The worlds governments have committed to halting biodiversity loss by 2020 and we will challenge them, as well as businesses, civil society and ourselves, to take the steps necessary to reach this goal, and then go further.
Our Cultural Values
Our cultural values are the way we work with each other and partners:
Bold
We speak out honestly for what we believe in, aiming higher and pushing further for growth. We seek to provide innovative, fun and sociable ways for people to get involved
Focused
We identify where birds and wildlife are most under threat, then act decisively and with commitment to save them and deliver tangible results
Supportive
We support each other and our sector partners in order to flourish, and make sure our supporters receive reward and recognition for their contribution
Together
We work together for the biggest possible impact across the RSPB and with partners across the UK and globally
Working at the RSPB
Hours of work
Normal hours of work for full-time employees are 37.5 hours per week. We are introducing new Flexitime and TOIL frameworks to recognise the commitment of staff and their willingness to be extremely flexible in the interests of conservation and the organisation, with the aim of making flexibility available to as many people as possible.