Senior / Principal Bat Ecologist

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is looking for an experienced Senior or Principal Bat Ecologist to join a well-established, friendly and highly regarded environmental consultancy based near Bath.

This is an excellent opportunity for a bat specialist who is ready to take ownership of projects, lead protected species licensing work and play an important role in developing the consultancy's bat ecology services.

Our client has a strong pipeline of bat projects, including complex developments requiring specialist survey techniques, mitigation strategies and conservation expertise.

The key priority is finding someone who holds a Natural England Level 2 Bat Class Licence and has experience acting as the named ecologist on European Protected Species (EPS) licences or Earned Recognition (ER) licences for development projects.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for a number of existing EPS licences covering a variety of bat species and roost types, alongside leading new projects and potentially managing two junior bat ecologists.

Applications are welcomed from experienced Senior and Principal Ecologists. Your practical experience, technical knowledge and ability to lead bat work are more important than your current job title.

The Role

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead and manage bat ecology projects across a range of development sectors.

• Take responsibility for existing EPS licences and oversee associated mitigation and monitoring.

• Act as the named ecologist on EPS and ER licences.

• Undertake and oversee Preliminary Roost Assessments, Ground Level Tree Assessments, emergence surveys and bat activity surveys.

• Prepare high-quality technical reports, Ecological Impact Assessments and EPS licence applications.

• Develop and implement bat mitigation, compensation and conservation strategies.

• Manage client relationships and provide specialist ecological advice.

• Support project proposals, quotations and tender submissions.

• Mentor and potentially line manage two junior bat ecologists.

• Contribute to wider ecological projects where this aligns with your interests.

About You

We are particularly interested in hearing from ecologists who have:

• A Natural England Level 2 Bat Class Licence.

• Experience acting as the named ecologist on bat EPS or ER licences for development.

• Strong knowledge of UK bat species, roost types, legislation and licensing requirements.

• Experience preparing EPS licence applications and delivering associated mitigation.

• Confidence managing bat projects independently, including supervising works on development sites.

• Experience interpreting bat survey data and producing detailed technical reports.

• At least five years of relevant ecological consultancy experience, although practical competence will be the deciding factor.

• A relevant degree and membership of CIEEM.

Additional experience in bat handling, advanced bat acoustics, thermal imaging, aerial tree inspections or managing junior ecologists would be advantageous.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a supportive consultancy where your specialist bat knowledge will be genuinely valued.

You'll have the autonomy to lead projects, access to experienced ecological colleagues and the opportunity to work on increasingly complex bat conservation and development projects.

The consultancy is also part of a wider environmental group, providing access to additional technical expertise, specialist training, collaborative projects and opportunities for professional development.

Salary & Benefits

Our client offers a competitive package, including:

• Salary of £34,000 to £50,000, depending on experience, with flexibility to discuss expectations for candidates bringing the required licensing expertise.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

• Part-time working considered.

• 36 days' annual leave, including bank holidays.

• Discretionary annual profit-share bonus.

• Private healthcare and an employee health cashback scheme.

• Up to five days' external CPD allowance annually.

• Internal training, mentoring and opportunities to work alongside specialist ecologists.

• Paid CIEEM membership and support towards Chartership.

• Payment of Natural England licence renewal fees and relevant vaccinations.

• A balanced approach to the survey season, including recovery time following periods of intensive fieldwork.

• Free parking and access to on-site wellbeing facilities, including a gym, wild swimming lake and sauna.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you're an experienced bat ecologist looking for greater responsibility, the opportunity to lead specialist projects and a supportive working environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Whether you're currently working at Senior or Principal level, we're interested in discussing how your experience could fit this opportunity.

Apply by sending your CV to vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk