Ecology Officer; Bats

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed 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 Natural Environment Team sits within Environment, Assets and Transport Services and brings together Ecology, Trees and Public Rights of Way. The team also leads on delivering the Council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the North Somerset Nature Parks programme.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Ecology Officer to join our Ecology Team, with a specialist focus on bats.

This is a new role created to support the delivery of the annual North Somerset Bat Survey project to ensure the continued engagement with volunteers and the collection and use of high-quality ecological data to inform decision-making. The role will contribute to the Council’s growing responsibilities relating to bat mitigation, including running our strategic mitigation scheme (North Somerset Nature Parks), and preparing Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs).

The role will also support the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain on Council land and play a key role in ensuring that development across North Somerset is supported by robust ecological evidence, timely advice and effective mitigation solutions by contributing specialist ecological expertise to planning applications.

In this role you will lead on the management and monitoring of bat mitigation in our Nature Park sites (including analysing acoustic data and finding additional suitable sites), support the sale of BNG and bat mitigation units and oversee the delivery of habitat monitoring and management plans for our BNG sites.

The Council actively supports the professional development of its ecologists in line with CIEEM guidance, including support towards species licensing and specialist skills development.

• Coordinate and support delivery of the North Somerset Bat Survey, working with volunteers and partners to ensure continued high-quality data collection.
• Lead on the collection, processing and interpretation of acoustic bat data from static detectors across Nature Parks and the wider district.
• Support the delivery and sale of bat mitigation and Biodiversity Net Gain units on Council-owned land.
• Oversee the management and monitoring of North Somerset Nature Park and BNG sites, including coordination of prescribed management activities.
• Provide professional ecological advice to Development Management, with a particular focus on horseshoe bat impacts and mitigation.
• Support and contribute to the preparation of Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs), including assessment of bat impacts and liaison with Natural England where required.
• Review and check Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) calculations and bat mitigation proposals associated with development.
• Use ecological data to inform guidance, policy and technical documents, including bat-related planning guidance.
• Work with other bat mitigation providers and potential providers to ensure a network of mitigation sites across North Somerset.

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

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office.
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

We are looking for a passionate and capable ecologist who is committed to protecting biodiversity and enabling sustainable development, and who brings a strong interest in bat conservation and applied ecological data.

• A relevant vocational qualification or experience to Level 4 or above in ecology or a closely related field.
• A good working knowledge of ecological planning issues, legislation and policy.
• A strong understanding of protected species, particularly bats.
• Experience contributing to or supporting Habitat Regulations Assessments.
• Ability to interpret ecological data and apply it to real‑world planning and land management decisions.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage and prioritise your own workload.
• Ability to communicate…