Biodiversity Data Officer – Berkshire (02236)
Planning
Environment
Market Street
£18,430 - £21,412 per annum. Grade F, SCP 21 – 26
Full Time: 37 hours per week
Permanent
Would you like to join our small team of ecologists, geologists and IT specialists collecting,
managing and providing data about the natural environment in Berkshire and Oxfordshire?
The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) is looking for a field ecologist who
has experience of Local Wildlife Site systems and a good knowledge of plant identification and
survey methodologies. Project planning, IT and customer service skills are essential. TVERC
operates on a ‘not for profit’ basis for the public benefit.
For an application form and information pack for these posts please call the 24-hour
answerphone on 01635 519122 or email recruitment@westberks.gov.uk quoting the post
number 02236. To be considered for these posts an application form must be
completed. Applications received after the closing date cannot be considered.
Closing date: 30th January 2008
Interviews will take place on 14th February 2008
JOB DESCRIPTION
Authority: West Berkshire Council
Service Area: Planning and Trading Standards
Post Reference No.: 02236
Location: Market Street, Newbury
Job Title: Thames Valley Environmental
Records Centre – Berkshire Biodiversity Data
Officer
Grade/Salary Range: F, £18,430 to £21,412
JOB PURPOSE



To collect, manage and provide environmental data to the standards necessary to function as a
certified node of the National Biodiversity Network
To work as part of a team to help develop and deliver the Thames Valley ERC service such that it
meets the developing needs for environmental data provision, management and collection
expressed by local authorities, conservation agencies and the general public
To work as part of a team to increase the quality and consistency of environmental data recording
in Berkshire
DESIGNATION OF POST AND POSITION WITHIN CORPORATE/SERVICE
STRUCTURE
The Planning and Transport Strategy Area is divided into three groups: Planning and transport Policy,
Development Control and Building Control.
The full time post is responsible to the TV-ERC Berkshire Centre Manager (see diagram below).
BACKGROUND
This is a permanent post within the small team of eight ecologists, geologist, information specialists and
administrative staff who run the Local Environmental Records Centre service for the Counties of Berkshire
and Oxfordshire (TVERC). TVERC was set up in 2003 and it is well supported by all the local authorities
in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the local Wildlife Trust and local
naturalists. The investment in TVERC by these organisations and individuals reflects the importance they
attach to maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity resource of the Thames Valley sub-region.
The work of the Centre is overseen by a Steering Group of representatives from the organisations listed
above. The Centre is one in a national network of Local Records Centres that are: ‘Not for profit services
run in partnership for the public benefit, which collect, collate, manage and disseminate information of
known quality relating to the wildlife, wildlife and geological sites and habitats for a defined geographical
area’.
The TVERC Berkshire Biodiversity Data Officer is based at the West Berkshire Council Offices in
Newbury. The post holder will also be required to work occasionally at the TVERC Oxfordshire office in
Woodstock (which hosts the TVERC ‘hub office’) and to travel occasionally to local meetings in the County
and to regional and national meetings elsewhere.
The post holder will be well supported by the small hub team (four staff) who provide supervision,
administrative support, data management and data provision services and will work closely with the
TVERC Berkshire Manager and other staff.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Berkshire Centre Manager to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
To plan and undertake survey and resurvey of existing and potential Wildlife Heritage Sites (WHS)
in Berkshire on an agreed cycle (including obtaining landowner consent)
To capture WHS data to computer systems (Recorder and Mapinfo GIS) and maintain those
systems
To capture habitat and species data to computer systems, with particular focus on Biodiversity
Action Plan priorities
To carry out other reactive site surveys according to agreed service procedures / agreements
To validate and verify imported data and implement TVERC common data standards and
procedures in Berkshire
To capture amendments to site boundaries and up-date those boundaries on GIS
To support the volunteer recording network
Other delivery of Service Level Agreement obligations, including answering local queries
SCOPE OF THE JOB (Budgetary/resource control, Impact)


Organise and undertake WHS survey according to the priorities established within each Berkshire
Unitary Authority .
Maintain and enhance the species and habitat records for the county with a view to meeting
suggested Best Value and National Audit Office targets for local authorities and National Biodiversity
Network accreditation.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre –
Berkshire Biodiversity Data Officer
Department/Division:
Planning and Trading Standards
Authority: West Berkshire Council
Post Reference No.: 02236
KEY CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
Experience




DESIRABLE
2 years relevant experience,
especially with Local Wildlife
Site system management
and/or survey projects
Project planning
Use of GIS (Mapinfo and/or
ArcInfo)
Use of environmental data
management systems e.g.
Recorder
Skills and Knowledge


Biological surveying,
particularly botanical
surveying
Good IT skills

Knowledge of protected species
legislation

Member of Institute of Ecology and
Environmental Management and/or
Institute of Biology
Degree in a natural science
Identification training for a range of
taxonomic groups
Education and Training


Personal Characteristics
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Confidence in negotiating
and liasing with land owners
and others
Committed to service delivery
and customer care
Confidence in undertaking
unaccompanied site visits
Other Work requirements

Current driving license


Able to recognise and report on
opportunities for service
improvements
An organised and adaptable
approach