Senior Ecologist Key information • Permanent role • Full time position at 37 hours/week • Salary is £36,124 to £40,476 per annum • Location: Taunton • Closing date: 26 June :59 pm What will I be doing? The Senior Ecologist will assist the Ecology Service Manager who leads the Somerset Ecology Service (SES), a small team who deliver the statutory obligations of Somerset Council. The position holder will provide professional ecological advice to and on behalf of the Council on planning and ecological matters, including biodiversity net gain and nutrient neutrality matters. The Senior Ecologist will be a key advisor and assessor to one Planning Area of Somerset upholding national and local legislation as well as best practice guidance. The role will be predominantly desk based however the role holder will be expected to partake and occasionally lead on ecological field work. This role offers flexible remote working with encouragement to collaborate in an office setting, occasional survey work, team days and career development opportunities. We''re working to improve the lives of people in Somerset - and you''ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve: • Review and assess planning applications and proposed plans through assessment of ecological impacts against legislation, policy and best-practice guidance. • Liaison with council officers, applicants and stakeholders including Natural England. • Reviewing BNG proposals and monitoring of BNG habitat creation