Principal Ecologist

Requisition Reference:  PLCA0450

Closing date: Wednesday 22 January 2025

Recruiting Manager: Esther Coffin-Smith

Salary: Level 9:- £41,511 – £46,731 per annum

Hours: 37

Basis: Full time

Location: Based in Castlewood, Clevedon

Package: Permanent – 27 days annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years’ service – Flexible Worker 

About Us

North Somerset Council is dedicated to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

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.

This position is currently based at our Castlewood offices in Clevedon. Please be advised that this office will be closed by 2025. Consultation is currently underway to determine the new location for colleagues based in Castlewood. This will be at Weston-super-Mare or within North Somerset.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about ecology and who possesses the following skills and experience:

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

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information:

For further information about the role, please contact Esther Coffin-Smith, Natural Environment Manager, at esther.coffin-smith@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07385 039453.

Important Information

Interview Date: Thursday 30 January 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.