Principal Ecologist

Job reference: EATA0034
Salary: £41,511 - £46,731 p.a.
Hours: 37 (full time permanent)
Location: Based at the Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare
Package: 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after five years’ service), flexible worker

In this role, you will manage a small ecology team with the work area comprising primarily of prioritising responses to planning applications (including BNG), compiling reports (including the completion of Habitat Regulation Assessments), providing planning advice and advising colleagues on the council’s major projects.

You will also support the Natural Environment Manager with the delivery of the council’s nature park initiative and biodiversity net gain on council owned land.

Our team is responsible for managing council owned trees and the rights of way network, responding to planning applications and delivering the council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy. We actively support the ongoing professional development of our ecologists in accordance with CIEEM standards, including the development of experience required for species licencing.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading on advice for the emerging Local Plan including developing supplementary planning guidance, helping to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain, collaboration on nature recovery networks and the delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, exploring opportunities for wetland restoration, engaging with colleagues and partners across the West of England and being part of a wide-ranging project to better understand and protect our greater and lesser horseshoe bats and create strategic mitigation habitat.
• Management of the Ecology Team and supporting the delivery of the Natural Environment Team Plan and Green Infrastructure Strategy, with particular emphasis on professional ecological advice to the Development Management Planning service through consultation responses and to applicants through an ecology pre-app service.
• Providing technical support for the most complex cases and be a role model for best practice.

Essential criteria:

• Professional vocational qualification or experience to at least level 6 or above, relevant to the Ecology and the Natural Environment field.
• An understanding of ecological planning issues.
• Experience undertaking Habitat Regulations Assessments.
• Phase 1 Extended Ecological surveys & UK Habitat Mapping and Classification.
• A good understanding of protected species, particularly bats.
• A broad working knowledge of wildlife and the relevant legislation and policy in place to protect and enhance it.
• Ability to manage/organise own work and that of colleagues to meet agreed deadlines.
• Member of CIEEM (or eligible).
• Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel.

Desirable criteria:

• Familiarity with biodiversity net gain.
• Knowledge of the North Somerset and Mendip Bats Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Guidance on Development: Supplementary Planning Document and the associated Habitat Evaluation Protocol (HEP).
• Line management/supervision experience.
• Arboricultural surveys.

Contact information:

For more information, email Esther Coffin-Smith, Natural Environment Manager: [email protected] or call 07385 039 453.

Closing date: Thursday 24 July 2025
Interview date: Tuesday 29 July 2025