OR105637 – Senior Ecologist

Job Details

Job Description: Senior Ecologist (Temporary Agency Worker)

Job Title

Senior Ecologist (Agency/Temporary)

Service Area

Environment / Planning / Natural Environment

Location

Remote (Somerset-based Council)

Grade / Rate

Agency day rate / hourly rate (dependent on experience)

Contract Type

Temporary (Agency Worker)

Duration

3–6 months, depending on agreed weekly hours. This role is intended to support a temporary peak in workload; extension is not anticipated.

Role Summary

The Senior Ecologist (Agency) will support the Council’s Planning service by providing specialist ecological advice on planning applications. This role is focused on development management and can be undertaken fully remotely.

Purpose of the Role

To provide expert ecological advice on planning applications to ensure the Council meets its statutory duties, supports sustainable development, and secures appropriate biodiversity mitigation and enhancement, including Biodiversity Net Gain.

Key Responsibilities

Planning Application Review

  • Review and provide expert ecological advice on a high volume of planning applications, including major and EIA development.
  • Assess ecological surveys, impact assessments, and mitigation strategies.
  • Review and advise on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations and proposals.
  • Recommend planning conditions, obligations, and reasons for refusal where appropriate.
  • Provide clear, proportionate advice to development management officers within required timescales.

Legislation and Compliance

  • Ensure planning decisions comply with relevant wildlife legislation, policy, and guidance.
  • Advise on protected species issues, licensing requirements, and mitigation measures.
  • Promote best practice in ecology within the planning system.

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Liaise with planning officers, developers, and ecological consultants as required.
  • Provide responses to planning-related queries in a timely and professional manner.

Key Accountabilities

  • Delivering timely, accurate, and consistent ecological advice on planning applications.
  • Supporting efficient determination of applications during a peak in workload.
  • Ensuring compliance with legislation and local/national planning policy.
  • Managing workload effectively to meet deadlines and service demands.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

  • Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
  • Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and planning policy.
  • Extensive experience reviewing ecological reports in a planning context.
  • Experience advising on mitigation, compensation, and Biodiversity Net Gain.
  • Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and work independently.

Desirable Experience

  • Experience of working within a Local Planning Authority (LPA) or similar regulatory environment.

Key Skills

  • Strong report-reviewing and decision-making skills.
  • Clear and concise written communication.
  • Ability to prioritise and manage competing workloads.
  • Practical, proportionate, and solutions-focused approach.

Additional Information

  • This role can be undertaken fully remotely, with optional attendance in Somerset for meetings or site visits where appropriate.
  • The post is offered on a temporary agency basis to provide additional capacity during a peak in planning workload.
  • The role is focused on planning application review rather than wider project or policy work.