Ecology Officer

Job ref: EATA0035
Salary: £34,314 - £37,035
Hours: 37 hours per week (full time)
Location: Based in the Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare
Package: Permanent (27 days annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years' service - Flexible Worker)

The Natural Environment Team are responsible for managing North Somerset Council-owned trees and the rights of way network, responding to planning applications and delivering the Council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy.

In this role, you will primarily provide responses to planning applications, compile reports (including the completion of Habitat Regulation Assessments), provide planning advice and advise colleagues on the Council’s major projects. You will also monitor the delivery of biodiversity net gain (BNG) on Council-owned land, review BNG monitoring reports and review applications for BNG sites.

Key responsibilities:

• Provision of professional ecological advice to the Development Management Planning service via planning application consultation responses.
• Completion of Habitat Regulations Assessments for applicable planning applications and consultation with Natural England.
• Review of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) submissions including Habitat Monitoring and Management Plans, BNG Metrics, Biodiversity Gain Plans and monitoring reports.
• Provision of pre-application advice and ecology advice on internal Council projects.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Essential criteria:

• Vocational qualification or experience to level 4 or above relevant to the Ecology and the Natural Environment field
• Knowledge and understanding of ecological planning issues
• A good understanding of protected species, particularly bats
• Experience undertaking Habitat Regulations Assessments
• 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

Desirable criteria:

• Experience undertaking Habitat Regulations Assessments
• 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)
• Phase 1 extended ecological surveys & UK Habitat Mapping and Classification.
• Arboricultural surveys
• Member of CIEEM (or eligible)

What we offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities for professional development
• Staff groups
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice cycle to work and Electric vehicle schemes

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

Closing date: Wednesday 28 May 2025

Interview date: Wednesday 4 June 2025

We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.