Estate Biodiversity Manager

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The Role:

This is a key role working as part of our professional team taking responsibility for the promotion of UK native species and habitats across the zoo Estate. This includes delivery of our ambitious strategic target to have 30% of our land protected and managed for UK biodiversity by 2030.

As the Estate Biodiversity Manager, you will:

• Lead on planning, development and delivery of our 30% target - including creation of new habitats and management to improve existing habitats
• Ensure robust monitoring to inform management decisions and demonstrate conservation impact
• Manage delivery of on-site activities including control of contractors, project management and ensuring robust health & safety processes
• Collaborate with other zoo teams to deliver on site UK biodiversity activities and develop opportunities to utilise biodiversity areas to support activities such as training and volunteering and public engagement.
• Support other teams and zoo operations in achieving net gains for UK biodiversity
• Support and engage in internal and external activities that connect the Zoo Estate with the wider landscape and local conservation strategies, and related networks

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there's always lots going on here. We're an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development.

The Package:

• 40 hours per week permanent post
• Salary of £38,952.52 per annum
• Typically, 8am - 5pm (with 1 hour lunch), Mon-Fri, working hours but with flexibility as required to cater for seasonal activities.
• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%

Our Requirements:

• BSc or equivalent qualifications and/or experience in a conservation related subject
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of UK biodiversity conservation and/or ecological consultancy
• Understanding of UK conservation legislation and delivery mechanisms and the organisations involved in delivery.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Good level of computer literacy and data management skills
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Excellent inter-personal and facilitation skills
• Experience of multi-stakeholder working in relation to land management and evidence of collaborative working across different teams.

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Knowledge of the ex-situ and in-situ conservation role of zoos
• Member, or working towards membership, of a relevant professional membership body such as CIEEM.
• Good proof reading and editing skills
• Experience in GIS/Spatial mapping
• Experience of BNG, Agri-Environment and other UK conservation focussed schemes
• Experience of Construction, Design & Management regulation and contractor management
• Driving license
• Appropriate licenses to conduct/oversee core ecological services would be beneficial.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes...

We're a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there's always lots going on here. We're an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office - where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?