Job Description

About the Role

The Senior GIS Technician will be responsible for delivering high-level GIS support across a wide range of projects, with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online at the core of the workflow. Key areas include:

Habitat mapping and classification (UKHab, Priority Habitat, GI networks). Preparing geospatial inputs for statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments. Spatial analysis for landscape planning and ecological studies. Producing high-quality plans for Planning Applications, EIAs, Ecological Assessments, BNG Plans and Landscape Masterplans. Managing spatial datasets, maintaining QA/QC standards, and supporting teams with workflows, templates and spatial data management.
This is a critical in-house post that interfaces closely with Associate Ecologists and Landscape Architects across BMD.

Key Responsibilities

ArcGIS & Mapping Duties

Produce high-quality mapping outputs using ArcGIS Pro, including: Baseline habitat mapping (UKHab) Protected species survey plans BNG baseline and post-development mapping to Metric 4.0 standards Landscape context and visualisation mapping Constraints and opportunities plans Arboricultural mapping integration Green/blue infrastructure network mapping Convert between CAD and GIS formats where required. Undertake detailed spatial analysis: Habitat condition and connectivity analysis Network analysis and corridor planning Buffering, risk zone assessments and constraints modelling Land-use change and net gain spatial assessment Catchment and drainage mapping for SuDS/green infrastructure Manage and manipulate spatial datasets to support ecological, landscape and planning assessments.

BNG & Ecology Support

Prepare spatial layers for BNG calculations and support ecologists with geospatial elements of the statutory metric. Maintain alignment between GIS mapping and BNG metric spreadsheets. Produce high-standard survey and constraints maps for protected species. Support the development of automated or semi-automated ArcGIS workflows.

Landscape Architecture Support

Provide mapping inputs for LVIA baseline and context mapping. Prepare digital base mapping for masterplans and detailed design stages. Support the landscape team with EIA figure production and spatial technical mapping.

Data Management & Quality Assurance

Maintain BMD's spatial data library in a structured and accessible format. Implement and oversee GIS standards, naming conventions, pipelines and templates. Carry out mapping QA/QC across project teams and review mapping outputs from colleagues.

Innovation & Training

Lead advancements in ArcGIS workflows, automation and data visualisation. Train staff at all levels in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Evaluate new geospatial tools, datasets and methodologies to support business-wide improvement.

Essential Requirements

Technical Skills

Advanced experience in ArcGIS Pro including: Complex spatial analysis and geoprocessing ModelBuilder workflows Advanced attribute and field calculations Spatial data management and metadata creation Georeferencing, coordinate system management and data transformation High-quality cartographic design Experience preparing spatial data for environmental and planning reports. Strong understanding of UK ecological and landscape datasets including UKHab, MAGIC, OS, DEFRA, LNRS, Priority Habitats and designated sites. Demonstrable experience supporting statutory BNG assessments (Metric 4.0 compliant).

Experience & Knowledge

Minimum 3-5 years professional GIS experience within environmental consultancy, landscape planning, ecology, or related fields. Good understanding of habitats, ecological survey types, protected species mapping and green/blue infrastructure. Strong familiarity with environmental planning processes such as PEA, EcIA, LVIA, BNG, LEMP and EIA.

Other Essentials

Excellent communication and collaborative working style. Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to data handling. Able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Desirable Skills & Experience

Experience with: ArcGIS Online / Web AppBuilder Experience publishing and managing Feature Services Python / ArcPy scripting FME or other data processing tools Adobe Illustrator / InDesign for map refinement Remote sensing, LiDAR analysis or drone data QGIS familiarity (secondary, not required). Experience with large masterplanning or multi-phase strategic Sites. Arboricultural or CAD-to-GIS workflow experience. Experience preparing mapping for complex EIAs.

Professional Qualifications & Licensing

Required

Degree in GIS, Geography, Environmental Science, Ecology, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field. Evidence of advanced training in ArcGIS Pro or a recognised GIS certification.

Desirable

Membership of a professional body (e.g., CIEEM, RGS, ESA). Additional training in UKHab, BNG Metric 4.0 or ecological GIS workflows. Certifications in ESRI training modules or remote sensing.

Examples of Project Support Areas

The Senior GIS Technician will support:

BNG mapping

for major strategic sites, multi-phase frameworks, and estate-wide planning.

Ecology surveys

, including bats, GCN, birds, reptiles, badger, hedgehog and botanical survey mapping.

Landscape planning

, including LCA, LVIA baseline mapping, ZTV context mapping and GI network plans.

Strategic planning

, including nature recovery network analysis, habitat connectivity and green infrastructure assessments.

EIA mapping

, including constraints, opportunities and technical figures for multiple environmental chapters.
The roles are based in our Birmingham Office with flexible and remote working arrangements in place to support our team to achieve that all important work/life balance.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly urge applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.

This job description reflects the core activities of the role, but it is not intended to be all inclusive and other duties may be required in addition to changes in the emphasis of duties as required from time to time. There is a requirement for the post holder to recognise this and adopt a flexible approach to work. Job description will be reviewed regularly and where necessary revised in accordance with organisational needs. Any major changes will be discussed with the post holder.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 35,000.00-45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee mentoring programme Free fitness classes On-site gym Sick pay Store discount
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Birmingham B1 1TT