Marine and Coastal Lead Adviser – Ref 5591

The team works across the four counties of Yorkshire and in northern Lincolnshire, sweeping down from the uplands of the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the South Pennines. It encompasses the urban and industrial areas of South and West Yorkshire and the agricultural lowlands of the East Riding, before reaching the beautiful Yorkshire Coast, the Humber Estuary and the sea beyond.  We have 386 Sites of Special Scientific interest, 2 National Parks, 4 AONBs, 12 National Nature Reserves and we work with 29 Local Planning Authorities. Our work focuses on restoring habitats, reconnecting the natural environment, and connecting people with nature across the area.

The Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire Area Team

The Team is responsible for delivering environmental outcomes set out in the Defra 25-year plan across Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire. Key to this will be the development of a Nature Recovery Network, with protected sites and sustainable development at the heart. The team uses a range of mechanisms including land management and planning advice, engagement with stakeholders and direct management of our own land, to achieve the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, geodiversity, landscapes and the historic environment.

Job description   

We have a vacancy in our area team for a Marine and Coastal Lead Adviser. This role will deliver our marine and coastal work which includes conservation advice, condition assessments, monitoring, marine casework offshore wind/sustainable development, fisheries management advice and wildfowling.

The successful candidate will play a central role in delivery of Natural England’s work in the marine environment.

Remit of the role will include (but not be limited to):

• The role may have a sole focus on marine casework, fisheries, aggregate extraction or our MPA work from the below descriptions. There may also be some cross over with terrestrial work areas such as wildfowling.
• Provision of advice on Environmental Impacts Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments (including technical supporting information). Providing statutory advice on MPA site assessments –to a range of regulators, involving sustainable development advice (e.g. offshore wind and aggregates; as well as advice on fisheries)
• Contribute to the production of formal Conservation advice packages for our MPA network
• Carry out MPA feature condition assessments as part of our statutory duty and to inform advice.
• Identification and completion of priority marine monitoring (may include field work)
• Responding to post-consent consultations on discharge of DCO and Marine licence conditions
• Provision of chargeable advice through Natural England’s Discretionary Advice Service (DAS), to maximise early engagement opportunities to achieve better outcomes for the natural environment
• Work on the Humber Estuary to ensure that wildfowling practices involving specific species of ducks, geese, and waders are sustainable.
• Building partnerships with customers and stakeholders to resolve complex or contentious planning issues and tin order to support and nature recovery.
• Participate in relevant internal technical networks, showing leadership & sharing best practice with others to support development of strategic approaches to challenges, and promote skills development across the wider team

This role may involve working outside, and regular travel including to sites.

A successful candidate will work closely with and draw on the knowledge and experience of the Area Teams coastal and marine Senior Advisers.

Benefits 

Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours and other flexible working patterns to help employees achieve a good work/life balance and maintain their health and wellbeing. 

Natural England provides excellent opportunities for career progression, training and development tailored to your role. From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Everyone has 10 days to devote to personal learning and development, as well as an additional 3 days to volunteer. 

You will have access to Civil Service Pension and benefits arrangements and generous leave allowances (33 day per year pro rata), as well as flexible working, to help you achieve a work-life balance that works for you and us. 

You will have access to a range of benefits including discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle to work scheme, and childcare vouchers. You can also join the Civil Service Sport club which offer discounts on a range of sports and leisure opportunities as well as social events.

Natural England is a fantastic place to work, where difference is celebrated. 

We’re committed to fairness and equality for all, so you feel valued for who you are and what you do. Our shared values help us work together to benefit the communities we serve. Our thriving employee-led diversity networks support our inclusive culture and contribute to our Diversity Action Plan. 

Locations 

Natural England is adopting hybrid working – which means our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All new staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England and the expectation is that all new staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographical area. Full time staff are expected to attend their associated office for a minimum of one day a week. 
 
Staff members are required to carry out all their duties working in this way and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Travel expenses will be paid if work related travel is required but does not apply to travel between home and your associated office.  

Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area which is either Leeds or York.

Competencies

Competence 1   

Professional competency

Detail   

Technical Skills and Knowledge

Description   

• Demonstrate an understanding of coastal and marine processes, impacts, management and mitigation in order to give clear advice to regulators and to inform decisions / actions relating to your role. (Essential)

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of protected sites, and their management in order to give clear advice to regulators and to inform decisions / actions relating to your role. (Essential)

  • Have experience of evidence-based advice and expertise using your knowledge of protected sites legislation e.g. Habitats Regulations, Marine & Coastal Access Act, Wildlife and Countryside Act etc. (Desirable)

Competence 2   

Professional competency

Detail   

Personal effectiveness

Description
• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience. (Basic)

• Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence. (Practitioner)

• Act with integrity, addressing challenging issues and managing conflict through being open and objective. (Practitioner)

Competence 3   

Professional competency

Detail   

Work delivery

Description
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures (Practitioner)

• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines (Practitioner)

Competence 4   

Professional competency

Detail   

Putting people at the heart of the environment

Description
• Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and the organisation you represent (practitioner)

• Work proactively and collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to identify and secure opportunities to deliver gains for people and nature (practitioner)

Contact information 

kristel.taylor@naturalengland.org.uk

Joanne.morris@naturalengland.org.uk

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Kristel Taylor
• Email : kristel.taylor@naturalengland.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defra-recruitment-enquiries@gov.sscl.com