Salary & Benefits : £45,520 -£56,900 per annum dependant on experience, annual bonus, attractive pension scheme (Up to 10% company contribution), life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary and 25 days annual leave, bank holidays, 8 x bank holidays plus a wellness day and development opportunities in line with the Technical Specialist progression plan. We also offer a fantastic flexible benefits package, where you can choose from benefits such as health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.  Colleagues also have access to a retail savings scheme, online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!
 

Location:  Bradford/ Hybrid Working (a mix of office and home working)
 

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday between the working window of 8:00am-6:00pm. 
 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Specialist to join the Land & Property  business area and be a part of improving the environment in Yorkshire. Could this be you?

What we do:  

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.  

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. 

Land & Property is setting up a new town planning centre of excellence to provide sound advice to the business on all aspects relating to the planning permission process as well as influencing local plans to reduce water demand/flooding, improving water quality and support YW’s capital programme.  The town planning (capital delivery team) will support the planning application process from initial advice through to working with project teams and external planning consultants to secure the required planning permissions to ensure our extensive capital programme is delivered on time.
 

Where you fit in – 
 

As Technical Specialist (BNG/Ecologist) you will support the delivery of Yorkshire Water’s business strategy which will involve; providing ecology and biodiversity net gain (BNG) advice required for capital projects, supporting project managers and project teams in regards minimising risk and cost to the business relating to ecology on Capital projects.
 

You will lead Yorkshire Water’s BNG approach including managing internal BNG bank, working closely with external consultants to ensure consistency and compliance in line with BNG legislation and guidance. 
 

 You will:
 

•    Support at a programme and project level, Project Managers/Sponsors in commissioning, reviewing and actioning ecological (including protected species) and BNG assessments and reports at the appropriate time (ie season/planning application stage) to mitigate risk, and support project optioneering, development and design; including working with the town planning team.
•    Drive forward the company’s approach to achieving biodiversity net gain, producing the business processes, specifications and managing associated data including advice to project teams on design implications and solutions. 
•    Prepare or review or commission of Biodiversity Net Gain Habitat Management and Monitoring plans (HMMP), and BNG audit reports in line with the HMMP and submission to the relevant body to meet legal compliance with associate planning permissions, including liaison with site stakeholders over future management. Where appropriate, to undertake protected species surveys.
•    Support project managers in scoping, commissioning and reviewing ecology reports to ensure they are fit for purpose and that recommendations are acted upon in a timely manner.
•    Support project teams in liaison with local authorities and regulators to obtain relevant licenses and permits 
•    Manage ecological data relating to BNG sites and protected species records and review of contractor submitted data
•    Work with the company biodiversity team to identify opportunities for overperformance on the OFWAT Biodiversity Performance Commitment 
•    Work with the company biodiversity team to provide ecological advice to construction projects delivered outside of Capital delivery and to transition ecological licenses and conditions to business as usual operations..
•    Provide advice to the company on the impact of new, changed and existing environmental legislation, where a precedent does not already exist
 

What skills and qualifications you will need:
 

•     A Degree in a relevant discipline (ie ecology/biodiversity)
•    At least 5 years previous experience relating to managing ecological risk in the construction and/or utilities sector
•    Chartered Ecologist with a relevant body (e.g. CIEEM) 
•    Experience in design and/or implementation of habitat creation and management
•    Experience in the use of the DEFRA BNG metric and undertaking Habitat Condition assessments
•    Experience in UK HAB within PEA’s.
•    Experience of securing agreement for at least one Natural England protected species licence
•    Experience in the use of organisation and/or district licensing for protected species.
•    Able to undertake or review HRA and SSSI Assent applications
•    IT skills able to use GIS software, particularly ArcGIS 
•    Excellent organisational skills
•    Detailed knowledge of environmental legislation and ability to interpret and articulate business implications 
•    A confident communicator able to develop and maintain effective internal and external relationships
 

The role will involve travel to different sites across Yorkshire, therefore you will need a UK driving licence with no more than 6 points.
 

We embrace a flexible working model, where our hybrid setup typically requires an average of 1 day in the office per week. This could be slightly more when collaborative efforts, training or meeting deadlines demand it. For those who prefer to work on-site, our office is open Monday-Friday during working hours.    

If you’re an experienced  ecologist or environmental professional and want to help us deliver exceptional service for our customers whilst protecting the environment, then apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer for you.  
 

Please complete the online application process and submit a covering letter and CV outlining your suitability for the role.
 

Recruitment Process – 
 

Closing date – 14th July, 2024

We are proud to serve the Yorkshire region and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds to apply. 

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.  

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.