Location: Barrow
Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

Westmorland & Furness Council is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Development Management Officer - Ecology to join our Climate and Natural Environment Team.

The post directly supports the delivery of major place‑based programmes in Barrow-in-Furness, including Brilliant Barrow and Barrow Rising, contributing to long‑term regeneration, resilience, and infrastructure improvement across the area.

This role supports the Climate and Natural Environment Team’s range of ecological functions, including:

• Provision of pre-application advice on ecological matters.
• Evaluation and assessment of complex planning applications and planning enquires which impact on biodiversity and provision of formal consultation responses.
• Evaluation and assessment of complex documents including Environmental Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain calculations and Construction Environmental Management Plans and other complex ecological reports.
• Carrying out site visits to assess ecological constraints, check the conclusions of submitted reports and monitor delivery against planning conditions and planning obligations.
• Attendance at stakeholder meetings, planning committees and planning appeals where necessary.
• Assisting with the drafting and management of Section 106 agreements which include clauses relating to ecological matters.
• Providing training and advice to colleagues, other officers and external parties on ecological matters.

You will lead on complex planning applications in the Barrow area and beyond. Key aspects of the role are preparing technical responses, advising on mitigation measures and working with key stakeholders to develop strategic mitigation measures.

Who we are looking for…

You will be an experienced and motivated professional ecologist with:

• A relevant degree in appropriate discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of ecological principles, ecological mitigation, habitat management and restoration.
• Professional experience leading complex work in a similar role within a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Detailed knowledge of the Habitats Regulations and Habitats Regulations Assessment and other relevant legislation and policy relating to ecology and biodiversity.
• Detailed knowledge of biodiversity net gain legislation and guidance and the biodiversity metric.
• Demonstrable experience of working independently to successfully manage own workload, balancing competing demands and carrying out successful negotiations.
• Relevant experience of ecological field survey work, including protected species, habitat and vegetation survey.
• Member of a relevant professional body.

Desirable:

• Experience using GIS software.

Essential:

• Valid driving licence (regular site visits required).

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Alistair Blackshaw,  Lead Ecologist on alistair.blackshaw@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 31st May

Interview date: 15^th-19^th June

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

If you experience any technical difficulties applying for this role, please contact the HR Systems Team at HR.Systems@cumbria.gov.uk.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.