22047- Principal Ecologist

42,879 - 69,659 (Salary will depend on location)
1
12 Months
London, Yorkshire and the Humber, National
Leeds , London, National , Sheffield
102 PETTY FRANCE LONDON, SW1H 9AJ, 5 ST PHILIPS PLACE FLOOR 5 BIRMINGHAM, B3 2PW, VULCAN HOUSE IRON FL4 SHEFFIELD, S3 8NU, NATIONAL, 5 WELLINGTON PLACE LEEDS, LS1 4AP
Grade 7, Grade 6
A
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Environment & Sustainability, Estates

Background

The Estate Cluster which manages property and facilities management interests on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) including Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), Home Office (HO), Crown Prosecution service (CPS), Department for Education (DfE), Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Department for International Trade (DIT), Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU) and a number of Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs). It comprises a diverse range of assets that include: prisons, training centres, operational buildings, approved premises and an office estate that supports the wider operational activities.

The Cluster forms one of the biggest of its kind in Whitehall consisting of over 2,000 holdings nationally and is a trail blazer for future clusters and the one Public Estate Agenda

About the team

The team is responsible for promoting the delivery of sustainability

projects across the shared estate. It provides advice to Project delivery on technical standards and project mandates, Facilities Management on initiatives to help meet the Greening Government Commitments, and cluster departments on improving and

embedding sustainability. It provides advice on improving ecology and biodiversity within the Estate cluster, including management of its Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Purpose of the role

To manage ecology and biodiversity primarily in HMPPS but also in Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services and across the MoJ estate. MoJ has 10 nationally designated sites, two of which are European designated sites, with a further 39 biodiversity significant sites. All our Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) have Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs), Site Management Agreements (SMAs), Species Action Plans (SAPs) and Habitat Action Plans (HAPs). The SMAs have all been signed off by Natural England or Natural Resources Wales. We want all our SSSIs to be in the best possible condition (favourable) and we have developed a plan to set us on that path, including through greater collaboration and partnerships. We have begun to improve the seven sites which are in an unfavourable recovering condition to a favourable condition, to achieve the outcome1A of at least 50% of SSSIs in favourable condition. By spring 2020, at least 60% of our 10 Sites of Special Scientific Interest will be in a favourable condition as part of Defra's b2020 strategy and we will have plans in place to achieve 100%.

Deliverables/Responsibilities

  • Lead and mange 1 x Ecology Technical support and 1 x Ecology Administration support staff.
  • Managing directly or at length Facilities Management and Strategic Authority Agreement Framework Contractors as required.
  • Delivering advice and support on compliance of designated sites, protected species and further advise on Climate Change adaptation, whist reporting against the Governments Transparency Targets and Biodiversity 2020 outcomes across the estates cluster to meet Government targets (Greening Government Commitments, Her Majesties Treasury Financial Reporting Manual, Environment Agency’s Carbon Reduction Commitment).
  • Support and advise on relevant legislation including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the CROW Act 2000, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, NERC Act 2006 Section 40 and 41, and all relevant European legislation and Directives.
  • Monitor and report on progress to improve statutory designated sites (SSSIs, National Nature Reserves and European sites), maintaining information systems, on SSSI status surveys and validating data for project performance and delivery.
  • Formulating Biodiversity Action Plans, with defined objectives, targets and responsibilities to support delivery of the Cluster’s overall Biodiversity strategy and measure and monitor progress against UK Biodiversity strategies, objectives and performance outcomes.
  • Compile habitat action plans with designated partnerships to maintain and enhance areas of the MoJ estate which are identified as priority habitats and biodiversity significant sites.
  • Compile species action plans and undertake surveys with designated partnerships to protect and enhance priority species that have been identified within the MoJ estate.
  • Attend site meetings as required and draft and implement statutory Site Management Agreements at all the MoJ’s designated sites, manage supporting databases on protected species and habitats, and draft Climate Change Adaptation reports (Flooding) and acting as necessary.
  • Develop and support partnerships with statutory bodies such as Natural England, Defra, the Wildlife Trusts, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, other Government Departments and local authorities.
  • Manage and liaise with community partnerships and design and implement statutory training programmes for ecology and biosecurity, including behavioural change, wildlife and countryside law and social issues programmes.
  • Provide professional and technical training to MoJ staff responsible for SSSI and protected species management.
  • Support and advise establishments on training needs and opportunities for prisoners in rural and countryside skills which directly benefit and promote sustainable biodiversity on the MoJ NOMS estate.
  • Provide guidance and management support to support ongoing shared estate projects where ecology has been highlighted, including ongoing maintenance, new build projects together with, Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, Prison Estates Transformation Project including support of the estate rationale strategy.
  • Support and advise on all funding bids relating to biodiversity and countryside projects.
  • Embedding ecology and biodiversity, and wider sustainable development initiatives across the operational estate, providing advice, guidance and support to staff and contractors.

Core Competence Profile

Essential Civil Service Competency (Level 4, Band A)

Setting Direction

  • Seeing the Big Picture

Engaging People

  • Collaborating and Partnering
  • Building Capability for All

Delivering Results

  • Managing a Quality Service

GPP Competency’s (Practitioner Level)

  • Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making: Interpreting and presenting clearly to colleagues and stakeholders diverse and detailed information from a wide range of sources and making reasoned recommendations; Identifying options for action, providing an evaluation of options and making reasoned decisions.
  • Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making: Actively participating in external and cross-government professional communities

The Post holder also should have:

  • At least 5 years practical field work including membership of a recognised body or institute status (e.g. MCIEEM or similar etc).
  • Experience in carrying out Phase 1 & 2 habitat surveys linked to National Vegetative Classification.
  • Experience in carrying out data analysis of habitat and species population status, specifically with regards to European Protected Species (EPS).
  • Experience in carrying out Ecological Impact Assessment.
  • Experience in GIS mapping and the new UK Habitat classification.
  • Hold or have experience of carrying a protected species licence, and understand the mitigation and method statement provision.
  • Demonstrate an ability to understand the planning process with a knowledge of BREEAM, and biodiversity offsetting.
  • Post Graduate qualification, such as an MSc or a PhD in Ecology or Countryside Management or similar.
  • Membership of UK Environmental Law Association or similar.
  • Diploma in wildlife and countryside Law including European Economic Commissions Directives and Regulations or similar.

If based outside of London regular travel to London and sites within the estate will be required.

The Post holder should have:

  • At least 5 years practical field work including membership of a recognised body or institute status (e.g. MCIEEM or similar etc).
  • Experience in carrying out Phase 1 & 2 habitat surveys linked to NVC.
  • Experience in carrying out data analysis of habitat and species population status, specifically with regards to European Protected Species (EPS).
  • Experience in carrying out EcIAs.
  • Experience in GIS mapping and the new UKHab classification.
  • Hold or have experience of carrying a protected species licence, and understand the mitigation and method statement provision.
  • Demonstrate an ability to understand the planning process with a knowledge of BREEAM, and biodiversity offsetting.
  • Post Graduate qualification, such as an MSc or a PhD in Ecology or Countryside Management or similar.
  • Membership of UK Environmental Law Association or similar.
  • Diploma in wildlife and countryside Law including EEC Directives and Regulations or similar

Working Arrangements & Further Information


Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.


Flexible working hours


The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.


Benefits


The MoJ offers a range of benefits:


Annual Leave


Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.


Pension


The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.


Training


The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.


Support


  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Networks


The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.


Working for the Civil Service


The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.


We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.


The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.


There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.



Interviews are expected to be scheduled on w/c 28th January 2019, candidates will be required to do a presentation at interview stage. If successful at the sift stage details of the presentation topic will be outlined in the interview invite.

14/12/2018, 23:55 hours.

Closing Date: 14th December 2018 at 23.55 hours

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote job ref 22047

Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

  • You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
  • You were studying abroad
  • You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Candidate Information

You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:


  • An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
  • A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.

During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.



if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance
Seeing the Big Picture
Collaborating and Partnering
Building Capability for All
Managing a Quality Service
Professional competency
GPP - Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making: Interpreting and presenting clearly to colleagues and stakeholders diverse and detailed information from a wide range of sources and making reasoned recommendations; Identifying options for action, providing an evaluation of options and making reasoned decisions.
Professional competency
GPP- Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making: Actively participating in external and cross-government professional communities

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.