Principal Ecologist

Job ref: EATA0034
Salary: £41,511 - £46,731
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)

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Principal Ecologist to join our Natural Environment Team. 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 manage a small ecology team with the work area comprising primarily of prioritising responses to planning applications, 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.

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.
• Supporting service delivery of the Natural Environment Team Plan and Green Infrastructure Strategy with particular emphasis on professional ecological advice to the Development Management Planning service.
• Providing technical support for the most complex cases to develop and support colleagues in providing professional consultation, direction and support to team members on case work and be a role model for best practice.
• Supporting the curation of ecological records within North Somerset for determination of Planning Applications and Strategic Planning purposes with the support of NSC ICT and GIS Teams.

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:

• 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)

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

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: Thursday 29 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.