The Department of the Environment invites applications from individuals who wish
to nominate themselves or someone else to serve as a Member of the Council for
Nature Conservation and the Countryside (the Council). It is expected that there
will be at least nine vacancies.

The purpose of the Council is to advise the Department of the Environment on
matters affecting the countryside of Northern Ireland and on nature conservation
issues.

Appointments will be for a three-year term, with the possibility of reappointment
for a second term, subject to performance. Members do not receive a salary but
are paid for travelling and other out of pocket expenses in line with standard Civil
Service rates. Expenses incurred in relation to the care of dependants will also be
reimbursed where appropriate.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate an active interest in or involvement with
matters relating to nature conservation and countryside issues. While no specific
professional qualifications are required, applicants must be able to demonstrate
knowledge of the management of land or aquatic environments.

In particular they should be able to demonstrate experience of at least two of the following areas: agriculture, environmental economics, local government/public administration,
access and outdoor recreation, forestry/estate management/land agency,
fishing/aquaculture, industry/tourism/rural regeneration, environmental education,
environmental organisations/PR experience on environmental matters, earth
science, marine and aquatic science, terrestrial ecology, biology/botany/zoology,
geography/environmental science, planning/landscape architecture.

The Department of Environment is committed to the principles of public
appointments, based on merit with independent assessment, openness and
transparency of process. The Department is committed to providing equality of
opportunity for all applicants. Expressions of interest are welcomed regardless of
gender, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or
whether or not you have dependants. Women, representatives of ethnic minority
communities and people with disabilities are currently under-represented on the
Council and applications from such people are therefore particularly welcome.

For an information pack and application form, please contact

Miss Suzanne Warnock
Environmental Policy Group
Sustainable Development Division
Department of the Environment
13th Floor River House
48 High Street
BELFAST BT1 2AW
Tel: (028) 90257333
Fax: (028) 90257300
Textphone: 028 9054 0642
E-mail: suzanne.warnock@doeni.gov.uk

Application forms can be provided in other formats and candidates who require
assistance will be facilitated on request. Nominees invited for interview will be
eligible for reimbursement of reasonable travelling expenses within Northern
Ireland.

All the relevant leaflets and forms can be downloaded here;

Role of Council and Job Description ( pdf 22 KB )
Application Form ( pdf 208 KB )
Complaints Leaflet ( pdf 75 KB )
Probity Leaflet ( pdf 43 KB )

Interviews will be held week commencing 3 October 2005.

Completed applications must be returned by Friday 8 July 2005. Late
applications will not be accepted by the Department.