Principal Ecologist | Clevedon

• Principal Ecologist 
• Job reference: PECR0068
• Starting salary: £36,371 p.a.
• 37 hours per week (permanent)
• Based in Castlewood, Clevedon

It’s a great time to join North Somerset Council as our lead Ecologist.

North Somerset has a landscape of huge nature conservation value, with a significant number of designated sites including: 4 Special Areas of Conservation, 56 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 2 National Nature Reserves, 13 Local Nature Reserves, the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and 204 Local Wildlife Sites.

Our vision is to be a greener Council and to demonstrate this we have declared an ecological emergency, started to improve biodiversity in our parks and open spaces, and published our first green infrastructure strategy. There are lots of exciting areas to be involved in and to have a positive impact on how we manage ecology across North Somerset.

The role involves prioritising responses to planning applications, compiling reports and providing planning advice and advising colleagues on the Council’s major projects.

Our passionate and newly restructured Natural Environment Team will be delivering actions from our ambitious Green Infrastructure Strategy across North Somerset, through services such as ecology and landscape, parks and open spaces, rights of way, trees, sustainable wetlands and flood management.

You will have a wide variety of opportunities including leading on advice for the emerging Local Plan including developing supplementary planning guidance, helping introduce and deliver Biodiversity Net Gain, collaboration on nature recovery networks, wetland restoration, nature parks, engaging with colleagues and partners across the West of England and being part of a wide-ranging project to better understand our greater horseshoe bats.

We are seeking an ecologist who is looking to develop their experience in a local authority context and to further develop their skills and knowledge to influence how we improve North Somerset’s ecology. You will need to demonstrate an understanding of ecological planning issues and will lead a team to respond to planning applications, including complex cases. You should have an excellent knowledge of the wildlife of the area and exemplary teamwork and communication skills, both written and verbal, including IT literacy.

You will have experience in a similar role and hold a relevant qualification to level 6 or above.

A local authority post also has the benefits of a generous pension scheme and agile and flexible working conditions including hybrid working.

Whilst the COVID restrictions are in place the role will be mainly working from home.

For an informal discussion, call Esther Coffin-Smith, Natural Environment Manager on 07385 039 453.

Want to know more and apply? Visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/jobs-training/council-jobs to download an application pack and apply online.

Closing date: Friday 20 May 2022.

Anticipated interview date: Wednesday 25 May 2022.

North Somerset Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of our community regardless of age, disability, sex, race, religion, belief or sexual orientation. North Somerset Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.