Overview

Your Mission

The Fisheries and Biodiversity Technical Officer role provides a unique opportunity to deliver tangible, lasting outcomes, protecting and improving the iconic catchments across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This role will provide technical support across both Fisheries and Biodiversity disciplines.

Working both in an outdoor and desk-based setting, you will provide technical advice to stakeholders, identifying project opportunities and supporting fisheries activities – there will be the opportunity to train and work in a fisheries enforcement capacity. You should be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of ecology, fisheries and nature conservation practices based on experience working in the environmental sector.

The post is based in Romsey, Hampshire, working in catchments of considerable importance for wildlife and people including: the New Forest, Isle of Wight, Hampshire Downs, iconic chalk streams and the Solent.

Those with experience, passion and enthusiasm for the following are encouraged to apply:

• Protecting vulnerable wildlife populations, via a range of exciting species and habitat conservation projects
• Eradicating invasive non-native species
• Collaboration and working in partnerships
• Influencing nationally significant infrastructure projects
• Making our natural environment more accessible and socially inclusive for everyone.

The team 

You will work closely with our team of experienced, dedicated and welcoming ecologists and fisheries experts that support the continued development of skills. We work together and learn from one another to help conserve and enhance rivers, still-waters, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal habitats. The Team has won awards for their work and achieved long-lasting environmental improvements as a result of their efforts.

Experience/skills required 

You will have experience working as an ecologist, naturalist, or in a fisheries role. Qualified to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

You’ll be able to demonstrate knowledge and/or experience in the following:

• Confident communication skills – the ability to relay complex information succinctly and the ability to influence others
• An understanding of environmental legislation, government policy and best practice relating to freshwater habitats and species, fluvial or coastal processes
• Knowledge of – freshwater ecology, key protected and invasive species and habitats
• Good time management and project delivery skills
• Experience surveying for protected species
• Chalk and lowland river and wetland management and restoration techniques
• Applying the Environmental Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Habitats Regulations
• Town and Country Planning, Marine Planning and regulation processes
• Membership of a relevant professional institute

Contact and additional information 

Closing date: 12/12/2022, 23:55 hours

Salary Minimum: £28,785

Competencies: You will excel at communicating effectively, influencing and persuading others, achieving results, and have a full UK Driving License.

We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.

We support flexible working hours and practices.

We also encourage you to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge throughout your career.

The Environment Agency is a Category 1 Responder, responding to serious flood and pollution incidents, protecting the environment, lives, and livelihoods of the communities that we serve. Everyone has a role to play and we’ll help you to identify an incident role that fits with your skills, experience and personal circumstances.

If you’d like more information please get in touch with amir.fogel@environment-agency.gov.uk

Interviews will be held remotely by video conference date to be confirmed.