Biodiversity & Policy Officer

Nottingham City Council

  • Nottinghamshire
  • £40,777-44,075 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 16 days ago
Job Category: Non-TeachingJob Description:Nottingham City Council's Greenspace and Natural Environment team is proud to manage our city's amazing greenspaces- from vibrant parks and peaceful nature reserves to the green corridors that connect our communities. As an award-winning team, we're passionate about shaping spaces that inspire, support wellbeing, and celebrate biodiversity.We're growing our team- from Senior Service Leadership and specialist roles to hands-on operational delivery we're looking for people who share our drive and passion to make a difference in the greenspace of Nottingham.So, if you want to be a part of our fantastic team we'd love to hear from you.Biodiversity & Greenspace Policy OfficerNottingham City Council
Closing Date: 7th September 2025
Salary: £40777 - £44075 (Grade H) | Permanent | Full TimeShape the Future of Nature in NottinghamNottingham is a city of green ambition, from nature recovery to climate resilience, we are committed to protecting and enhancing our natural environment.As our Biodiversity & Greenspace Policy Officer, you'll be at the heart of that mission. You'll lead on embedding biodiversity into local planning, projects and policy, helping to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), nature recovery strategies, and greener, healthier communities across Nottingham.This is more than a desk job. It's about making real-world ecological change happen in one of the UK's most forward-thinking urban environments.What You'll Be Doing
  • Act as the Council's lead technical expert on ecology, biodiversity and the Environment Act 2021
  • Provide expert advice on planning, policy and strategic projects
  • Lead our implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain, including advising on planning applications and using DEFRA's statutory metrics
  • Support delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Nottingham's wider ecological ambitions
  • Contribute to city-wide green infrastructure and the “Greener, Healthier, Happier” greenspace strategy
  • Oversee and advise on designated wildlife sites and promote nature-led site management
  • Write guidance, policy documents, and help shape future biodiversity planning tools (e.g. Supplementary Planning Documents)
  • Work across departments and with community groups to champion biodiversity for all
Who We're Looking For
  • Has a degree in ecology, environmental science, or a related field
  • Understands biodiversity legislation and policy, especially BNG and the Environment Act 2021
  • Is confident advising on planning applications, strategic plans, and site management
  • Can bring technical credibility and influence in multi-disciplinary settings
  • Knows how to engage with communities, partners and councillors on nature-positive projects
  • Is familiar with GIS, mapping and monitoring tools
  • Is collaborative, organised, and committed to high-impact, place-based working
Why This Role MattersBiodiversity is not just about species; it's about shaping places where people and nature thrive together. This role gives you the platform to create citywide impact while working closely with planners, ecologists, policymakers, and passionate local communities.If you believe that policy and practice go hand in hand and want to help Nottingham lead the way on urban nature, we want to hear from you.What You'll Gain
  • A rewarding, strategic role with visible local impact
  • Opportunities to shape nature recovery at a city level
  • A chance to help shape a greener and more inclusive Nottingham
  • A role with visible impact in your local community
  • Supportive colleagues and opportunities for professional development
  • Flexible working and employee wellbeing support
  • Generous local government pension and holiday scheme
Apply nowIf you are interested in being part of an amazing team that really wants to make a difference to the greenspaces in Nottingham then join us in shaping a Greener, Healthier, Happier Nottingham.For an informal chat about the role, contact Claire Smith-Harris atYou can find the job description for this postAt Nottingham City Council we believe that work is what you do, not where you do it. We offer different working arrangements, depending on the role, including hybrid working. Further information on Worker Types and what these mean in terms of how and where you work can be found on the for applicants page.Closing Date: 7th September 2025Please note there may be occasions where we close the advert before the closing date and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.Interviews will be held: w/c 29/9/25If you have any technical issues when completing your application, please contact our Employee Service Centre:By applying to this job, you agree to ourAbout Us:Thank you for your interest in working for Nottingham City Council. As one of the largest employers in Nottingham we offer a wide range of roles across a range of services. In return for your skill, drive and commitment to serving the people of Nottingham, we can help you to develop an exciting and rewarding career, with access to the following benefits.In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:
  • 26 days annual leave (rising to 33 days after 5 years' service) + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually
  • Access to a generous, defined benefit pension scheme offering 17.9%
  • Smart Working - to support your work life balance
  • Health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
  • Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres, cinema, shopping and much more!
Nottingham City Council is committed to recruiting a talented workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are a fair and inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and with different abilities. We recruit for diversity and value difference.We particularly want to hear from you if you are from Minority Ethnic communities, identify within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ community (LGBTQ+) and if you are Disabled - these groups of people are underrepresented in our workforce, and we'd like to reflect our local population more through our recruitment processes.We are supportive of flexible working arrangements wherever possible and we would encourage you to discuss this with us during the selection process, should this be something you are interested in.

Nottingham City Council