The environmental specialists will provide expert advice and support, where required, to the inspectorate in the preparation of Appropriate Assessment and/or Environmental Impact Assessments in accordance with national and European legislation.

Responsibilities, dependent on specialism, will include but are not limited to, the following:

Where expertise allows, specialists may be asked to:

• Carry out technical, biodiversity and ecological assessments in the context of Environmental Impact Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and the Water Framework Directive;
• Carry out environmental assessments in relation to other topics including hydrology, hydrogeology and the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (depending on specialism);
• Identify data sources and collate, analyse and interpret data;
• Review survey work and advise on methodological approaches in submitted planning applications;
• Write technical papers and issue recommendations;
• Contribute to discussions about changes to policy and legislation, as may be required (and in liaison with relevant Government Departments through the Assistant Director);
• Mentor and advise the inspectorate on issues relating to technical and environmental matters, including EIA, ecology and biodiversity.
• Provide input to training initiatives;
• Peer review of inspectors reports in relation to environmental matters.