Responsibilities
Supervise and, where required, undertake PRA-level inspections, and oversee survey planning for bat constraints.
Provide technical review and sign-off of ecology deliverables (PRA, PEA, bat sections of PEAs, method statements, mitigation notes, client/LPA responses).
Ensure reports align with current good practice (survey limitations, precautionary methods, mitigation hierarchy, proportionate recommendations).
Maintain clear audit trails: site notes, photo logs, limitations, decision rationale, and QA records.
Mentor junior surveyors/assistants: field standards, evidence quality, reporting structure, and risk flags.
Support client communications on technical matters (architects, planning consultants, LPAs) including rebuttals/clarifications.
Contribute to internal SOPs: template improvement, checklists, and compliance gates.
Essential criteria (non-negotiable)
CL17 minimum (bat class licence registration level as applicable) and demonstrable ability to supervise/sign bat-related outputs.
Strong track record producing/reviewing planning-facing ecology reports (PRA/PEA at minimum).
Demonstrable competence in roost suitability assessment, survey constraints analysis, and proportionate recommendations.
Excellent written English suitable for planning submissions.
Ability to operate independently, manage workload peaks, and meet deadlines.
Desirable criteria (high value)
Higher bat licence level (above CL17) and/or significant emergence/re-entry survey design and interpretation experience.
Membership/eligibility with a professional body.
Experience responding to LPA ecologist queries and navigating planning conditions.
Comfortable working to strict QA and record-keeping standards.