Senior Ecologist

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT; Keynsham; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management is seeking a Senior Ecologist to provide expert ecological advice within a planning context, ensuring biodiversity net gain in developments around Bath and Keynsham. The role requires autonomy, experience in planning environments, and the ability to manage a diverse workload in a small team.

Based in the Civic Centre Keynsham, this part-time post offers meaningful, world-class environmental work within a renowned council setting and

Job description

Senior Ecologist

Salary: £44,253 – £47,665 per annum, pro rata

Contract: Part time (18.5), Permanent

Location: Civic Centre Keynsham

Job reference: HR-10363

Bath and North East Somerset is a large and diverse district in the West of England, containing not only the internationally renowned City of Bath World Heritage Site, but also an extensive area of Green Belt, two AONBs, and beautiful countryside and settlements.

There is a rich and diverse natural environment with some important, designated sites including Chew Valley Lake Special Protection Area, and the Bath & Bradford on Avon Bats Special Area of Conservation, as well as many Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local Nature Reserves and non-statutory Sites of Nature Conservation Interest and Regionally Important Geological Sites.

Bath & North East Somerset is also home to a unique and special array of rare and protected wildlife and habitats.

You will work within a small team of ecologists alongside a range of other specialists within the team, including landscape, tree, heritage, conservation and planning professionals.

You will be providing specialist advice to planning officers on a day-to-day basis to ensure that ecological matters are taken fully into consideration in the planning process including delivering Biodiversity Net Gain.

You will be expected to demonstrate a high level of experience as an ecologist working within a planning environment and giving effective and reliable ecological advice. You will have a high degree of autonomy, independently managing your own workload. One day you might be looking at proposals in Bath city centre close to the river corridor, the next, plans to extend an agricultural business; another day, new housing which might impact a valuable, designated area.

The right person will help us meet the challenges of high levels of growth, at the same time as looking after our unique natural environment. The opportunity to work in the World Heritage City of Bath and at the same time our wide rural area makes this a unique opportunity and a hugely attractive place to work.

We are a positive and mutually supportive team who work well together. If you are passionate about ecology, forward-thinking, ambitious, and keen to make a real difference in a world class environment and would like to join our team, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Closing Date: 04/11/2026.