Lead Bat Ecologist — Surveys, Licensing & Projects

WSP in the UK & Ireland; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP’s Nature Services team is a large, friendly and diverse group of ecologists, bringing together generalists with bat survey and licensing experience alongside specialist bat leads. We deliver a wide range of interesting and challenging projects across the UK.

As we expand our team of licensed bat surveyors in Scotland, we’re creating greater flexibility for individuals to develop as either well-rounded generalists or specialists in bat survey and assessment.

Qualifications

• Holding a NatureScot bat licence or working towards it.
• Experience in carrying out and/or managing bat surveys across habitat types and schemes.
• Experience in bat call analysis, data management and interpretation of field survey data.
• Experience in report writing, with level of experience dependant on seniority.
• Experience in development licensing applications.
• Ability to work well as part of a team of Nature Services professionals.
• Good working knowledge of wildlife legislation pertaining to bats.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical advice, planning and overseeing bat surveys across a diverse range of schemes, most linked to decarbonisation and the energy transition.
• Acting as bat lead on schemes ranging from onshore windfarm projects to linear schemes such as hydrogen pipelines and energy infrastructure upgrades.
• Overseeing surveys including generic and more specialist surveys.
• Preparing tenders for a range of schemes relating to our diverse portfolio.
• Input into deliverables including EcIAs, Biodiversity chapters of EIAs, HRAs and licence applications.
• Client liaison and project management.
• Providing mentoring and training to the wider team.

Skills

Bat survey experience

Team collaboration

Wildlife legislation knowledge

Job description

WSP’s Nature Services team is a large, friendly and diverse group of ecologists, bringing together generalists with bat survey and licensing experience alongside specialist bat leads. We deliver a wide range of interesting and challenging projects across the UK.

As we expand our team of licensed bat surveyors in Scotland, we’re creating greater flexibility for individuals to develop as either well-rounded generalists or specialists in bat survey and assessment.