Technical Environment Officer (Ecology)

Personal attributes

Essential

• The ability to work under pressure.
• Prioritise work within the work programme.
• Innovative thinker

Desirable

• Work at public enquires and exhibitions, outside office hours

Qualifications and relevant training

Essential

• Relevant degree in Ecology / the Environment

Desirable

• Previous Ecological / AHA (EIA) Training

Relevant experience

Essential

• Experience of Ecological and Environmental matters in the construction field, particularly highway and coastal works.

Desirable

• Experience of working within European and National environmental legislation.
• Working in Environmental Consultancy or Planning.

Skills and specialist knowledge

Essential

• Expertise in ecological skills in the field

Desirable

• Practical ability of AutoCAD and GIS

Language requirements

Essential

Listening and Speaking - Entry Level

Able to pronounce the names of places and people correctly.Able to follow instructions and understand simple conversation through the medium of Welsh and English on familiar matters and respond to simple requests for information

Reading and Understanding - Entry Level

Able to read and understand short and simple letters, e-mails, leaflets, and signs in Welsh and English on familiar everyday issues, in order to convey them to someone else.

Writing - Entry Level

Able to write a simple message requesting or giving information about familiar everyday issues in the workplace.

Purpose of the post

• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
• To assist in managing projects, as directed by the Line Manager, to ensure successful delivery to the specified requirements of the brief provided by the Client in terms of cost, time and quality
• To participate in project management as part of personal development process.
• Ensure that the Consultancy gives full commitment to satisfy Client needs to deliver value for money whilst operating on a commercial basis and adapting itself to compete effectively
• Contribute to the Consultancy developing innovative solutions to environmental problems thus ensuring progressive best practise and best value.
• To perform Environmental Clerk of Works duties on construction projects
• Review and develop new procedures on regular basis in accordance with Council policies and procedures as well as national developments
• To fulfil requirements of health and safety and environmental legislation.

Responsibility for functions

• To acquire and maintain an up to date knowledge of:-
• methods to ensure a high professional standard of service.
• technical standards and developments (including computer systems currently in use), and
• professional and statutory responsibilities (including e.g. those under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 1974, Wildlife & Countryside Act 1982, Habitat Regulations 1994, CDM regulations and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations and any other relevant statutory Environmental Legislation) and of their application relevant to the work and functions being carried out.
• To manage sub-consultants.
• To deputise for the immediate superior in his/her absence.
• Ensure that the Consultancy meets the requirements of the Council and the Directorate.
• To be financially responsible for projects and return staff diary cards to administration office Monday following working week.
• The post holder is expected to be aware of the requirements of Health and Safety and to collaborate with the Directorate’s Health and Safety and Quality Assurance Manager to ensure that the Unit complies with the relevant requirements.
• Responsibility for information management in accordance with the Council’s information management standards and guidelines. Ensure that personal information is handled in compliance with Data Protection legislation.

Main duties

• Develop and maintain a practical and professional relationship with principal clients, such as other divisions of the Directorate, the Area offices, Welsh Assembly Government, other Directorates and other Authorities
• To develop and maintain a practical and professional relationship with statutory and non-statutory consultees on all projects.
• To carry out environmental screening studies including, data collection, preliminary investigations, technical assessment, identifying design constraints, administrative, quality and financial procedures for all projects undertaken by the Consultancy, or any other works to be carried out on behalf of the Client
• Develop and implement any further work generated from initial screening study, such as carrying out full EIA and Appropriate Assessment under the Habitat Regulations 1994.
• Through fulfilment of supervisory construction phase role, manage all environmental aspects of construction works by professionally fulfilling the role of the Environmental Clerk of Works.
• Responsibility for supervising and controlling the activities of specialist consultants
• Develop environmental specialisations to increase the range of services available to present clients and to potential future clients
• Ensure computer systems and software are available for optimum performance of the unit. Liaise with Directorate information technology officer
• To liaise with other services, other directorates, statutory undertakers, statutory consultees, other authorities, any other relevant external organisations, and individuals concerning all aspects of the works
• To report to, and receive instructions from senior staff
• To ensure all projects undertaken by the Consultancy are fully compliant with all relevant statutory and non-statutory Environmental Legislation.
• Other relevant administrative and professional duties commensurate with the seniority of the post.
• This is an illustrative list only. The post holder is expected to have a role in the process of managing and monitoring performance in accordance with the requirement of the post and to carry out other duties relevant to the nature and grade of the post in accordance with the Head of Service/Manager or Strategic Director’s request.
• Responsibility for self-development.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
• Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
• Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
• Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.

Special circumstances

• Ability to manage staff and the service in a senior post and within financial and legal restrictions
• Ability to work under pressure. Ability to motivate staff to ensure the success of the Consultancy
• At Public Inquiries, Site Work etc. the requirement to work outside office hours.
• Undertaking surveys may involve lone working.