Ecology Officer

Job reference: EATA0035
Salary: £34,314 - £37,035 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 5 years' service), flexible worker

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.

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:

• Provision of professional ecological advice to the Development Management Planning service via planning application and pre-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.

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

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).

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