Senior Ecologist

Somerset County Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 41,000

Job description

About the job

Some key information

• Permanent role
• Full time position at 37 hours/week
• Salary is £36,124 to £40,476 per annum
• Location: Taunton

What will I be doing?

The Senior Ecologist will assist the Ecology Service Manager who leads the Somerset Ecology Service (SES), a small team who deliver the statutory obligations of Somerset Council. The position holder will provide professional ecological advice to and on behalf of the Council on planning and ecological matters, including biodiversity net gain and nutrient neutrality matters. The Senior Ecologist will be a key advisor and assessor to one Planning Area of Somerset upholding national and local legislation as well as best practice guidance. The role will be predominantly desk based; however, the role holder will be expected to partake and occasionally lead on ecological field work. This role offers flexible remote working with encouragement to collaborate in an office setting, occasional survey work, team days, and career development opportunities.

Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Review and assess planning applications and proposed plans through assessment of ecological impacts against legislation, policy and best-practice guidance.
• Liaison with council officers, applicants and stakeholders including Natural England.
• Reviewing BNG proposals and monitoring of BNG habitat creation within Somerset.
• Reviewing nutrient neutrality mitigation schemes and shadow HRA's in relation to nutrients.
• Undertaking of Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Assisting the Ecology Service Manager and team members on the day-to-day running of the ecology service.
• Contribution towards responses on national consultations, policy or guidance, on behalf of the council.
• Undertake and/or assist with botanical/habitat surveys and protected species surveys.
• Occasional support and/or representation of the Council in planning appeal hearings or inquiries where required.
• Advising council officers on ecological requirements for projects including site work.
• Undertake and/or contribute towards the strategic development and research to support the delivery of the ecology service.
• Progress, research and develop environmental planning and design tools.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you:

• Have a technical knowledge of a range of Protected Species and their ecological needs, particularly bats, amphibians, reptiles, hazel dormice and badgers.
• Have an understanding of the relevant National Planning Policy Framework and national/local wildlife legislation.
• Have an understanding of, and experience of, analysing and evaluating a range of ecology reports including Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Have significant experience in the Ecology industry.
• Can provide excellent communication to a variety of audiences (verbal and through emails).

What's in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.

Anything else I should know?

Salary is £36,124 to £40,476 per annum for 37 hours/week.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Sarah Cruickshank, Ecology Service Manager.

Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]

Interviews will take place on Thursday 10th April and Friday 11th April 2025.

If you have everything you need, just hit the apply button. We can't wait to hear from you.