DIO Technical Services – Ecologist (Estate Optimisation)

Join the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and have a future that matters: Be proud; Be challenged; Be unique. 

Job Description

The Ecologist (Estate Optimisation) will provide advice on ecology and natural environment issues primarily in support of the Defence Estate Optimisation Programme (DEO) and other Major Programmes and Projects throughout the UK. Working right at the heart of Defence, the DEO Programme is a unique initiative tasked with reducing the size of the MOD’s estate whilst delivering more modern infrastructure to meet future military requirements. It was mobilised in 2016 as one of Defence’s top three priorities and plays a major part in wider Government projects. We will invest £4Bn over the next ten years in core Defence sites on a range of facilities for Service Personnel and their families releasing many other sites for disposal.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage and prioritise a busy workload. Understand how your work contributes to DIO’s aims and objectives and supports defence activities. Plan and undertake appropriate training and development to ensure skills are kept up to date. Promote strong working relationships both within the DIO Ecology Team and with other teams across DIO and MOD.
• Support the Defence Estate Optimisation Programme and Major Programmes and Projects by: a) providing specialist advice and guidance to portfolio, programme and project managers, sustainability advisers, and external consultants on ecological survey, assessments and approvals throughout the programme and project lifecycle; b) contributing to and reviewing sustainability appraisals or other studies identifying the need for ecological surveys, assessments and approvals; supporting scoping, commissioning and quality assurance of a prioritised programme of ecological surveys and impact assessments; d) undertaking ecological surveys and impact assessments where appropriate; e) providing technical support to commercial tendering and contract management processes.
• Provide advice on MOD’s legal and policy obligations towards the natural environment. As part of the Ecology Team you will have the opportunity to shape future policy, guidance and its application at the site, regional and national level. Support responses to third party proposals such as new or amended designated sites and management proposals affecting MOD sites.

About our Team

Technical Services (TS) comprises the following core areas:

• Engineering and Construction,
• Programme Support Team
• Security Services Group,
• Safety, Health, Environmental Protection and Sustainability (SHEPS)

Technical Services (TS) provides in-house consultancy to DIO and the wider MOD; the specialist skills available through the Technical Services team span construction, engineering, electronic and physical security requirements, safety systems, environmental management, sustainable development, access and recreation, historic environment and natural environment.

Benefits

We are passionate about delivering great things for our customers. But we also know you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities and our industry leading flexible working practices will give you real freedom to balance work and life.

We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other. At DIO you will work within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills, knowledge and experience.

Further main benefits include:

• Professional and Personal Development of skills
• Flexi-time scheme upon completion of 6 months service
• Alternative working practices
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The Queen’s birthday
• Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Gym and / or site shops
• Excellent Benefits

To find out more about us, look at our YouTube video to see more about our work https://youtu.be/I9tLu3UdiGY

For further information regarding this vacancy and to apply please refer to the full advert on Civil Service Jobs ref 18732 

Closing date: 29 October 2019.