Bat Specialist Ecologist
LOCATION – FLEXIBLE
Leeds, Newcastle, Cockermouth, Leicester, Birmingham, Bristol, London or Southampton
Are you a bat specialist, either a BER Registered Consultant or a Natural England Class 2 or above bat survey licence holder? Do you have a desire to apply your bat expertise to a diverse project portfolio with the support of an industry leading team? Have you worked on mitigation licensed projects recently and are looking to become a BER Registered Consultant? Or do you hold a bat disturbance and handling licence in Scotland or Wales, or have licensing and bat project delivery experience in Northern Ireland and ROI?
Are you eager to enhance your technical skills and develop your career with a defined professional pathway of your choosing? Do you want to work with a team who value and promote health, wellbeing and a fulfilling working life, recognising the commitment required to conduct nocturnal bat survey work?
Role Outline
As Tetra Tech builds on its demonstrable track record as one of the leading global environmental consultancies, we are seeking Bat Earned Recognition (BER) Registered Consultants and those who qualify as BER Accredited Agents to strengthen our existing BER expertise in the team. We are also looking to expand our bat expertise in the Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and ROI teams.
As a multidisciplinary consultancy, our ecologists work closely with colleagues from other teams including Planning, Placemaking, Engineering, Transportation and Asset Management and contribute to the identification of opportunities, tendering and project delivery.
With ambitions to grow our UK presence, and to contribute to the continued success of Tetra Tech’s global business, you will join our established network of over 90+ UK ecologists.
Our bat specialists are proactive in developing relationships with colleagues from across the business, liaising with the wider ecology team and other technical teams, and supporting them through all stages of a project.
Examples of recent bat projects we have delivered include:
Surveys, BER site registrations and mitigation works for several bat species, including hibernation and maternity roosts across the country;
Use of advanced bat survey techniques (e.g. on sites in Hampshire, Sussex and Dorset) to confirm whether rare bat species such as Bechstein’s are present;
Use of industry-leading survey technology and data analysis systems to ascertain use of habitats by bats for renewable energy and other land-use projects;
Survey, licensing and mitigation at a range of sites including listed buildings and complex structures with multiple bat roosts present;
Survey, BER licensing and mitigation for trees on linear infrastructure projects; and
Surveys for flood defence works including culverts under Derby city centre.
Given the variety of projects we work on, we are looking for BER Registered Consultants (Level 2 or 3 would be highly desirable) and Class 2 Bat Licensed Ecologists with experience on mitigation licensed projects.
We are looking for bat specialists who are proactive in developing their own knowledge and understanding of bats as well as being able to share their knowledge to support the development of others. We want people who have strong field experience and ambitions to develop their technical skills in line with project requirements. With support from the regional and national ecology teams as well as the national bat lead, and in line with our defined career framework, they will continue to develop their expertise.
We Lead with Science® and follow the advice of our bat ecologists when investing in top-of-the-range equipment to allow them to deliver their roles successfully. We encourage applications from ecologists who have an interest in technological advancements and who are keen to keep on top of the latest developments and guidance.
The role will require site work and some travel dependent on location of projects. However, we operate fully flexible, hybrid working which allows our ecologists to choose where, how and when they work, as long as our clients are receiving the high-quality service they expect. We focus on talent and skills, not postcode.
Key Responsibilities
Survey Work, Design and Fee Proposal: Design ecological surveys using industry guidance and prepare fee proposals for projects. Conduct specialist bat surveys and support other protected species projects. Survey work will involve a mix of daytime and night-time based work. The individual will be responsible for coordinating survey schedules and project resources effectively.
Data Analysis, Report Writing and Quality Assurance: Accurately analyse bat data, produce high-quality, detailed reports and mitigation strategies, including and successfully obtaining bat mitigation licences. Experience preparing Ecology chapters for Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessment would be an advantage.
Task and Project Management: Actively manage delivery of a task within a project or fulfil the role as a Project Manager (after receiving Tetra Tech bespoke project management training), from inception to completion ensuring timelines, budgets and quality standards are met.
Client Engagement: Work closely with clients, including developers, planners and internal colleagues to provide ecological advice and solutions. Build, develop and maintain strong relationships with clients ensuring clear communication and excellent service.
Team Development: Mentor and inspire junior team members across the national team and provide training and on-site guidance to develop other team members in bat ecology and support them on their journey to obtaining their bat licence.
Technical Expertise: Provide expert advice particularly in relation to bat ecology, behaviour and conservation. The individual will have a minimum of a Natural England Class 2 bat licence but ideally will be a BER Registered Consultant (Level 2 or 3 preferable) or eligible to apply (or equivalent for Scotland, Wales, NI, ROI). The individual will need to remain informed with the rapid advancements in bat research, survey tools and techniques. Design and implement avoidance, mitigation and compensation strategies including bat roost creation and habitat management plans.
Requirements
An appropriate academic qualification in a related discipline
Natural England Class 2 bat licence and/or equivalent for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, ROI
Bat Earned Recognition Registered Consultant at any Level preferable (but Level 2 and 3 ideally) or eligible to apply to become a Registered Consultant
Hold a full driving licence
About the Team
Over 90+ permanent ecologists, including BER Registered Consultants, roost visitor and low-impact licence holders across 14 offices, working as one cohesive team.
IT systems allow seamless remote and flexible working, so proximity to an office is not a barrier.
Cars or car allowances to every member of the team regardless of grade, including for personal use.
Established TOIL system to allow time management to suit specific personal needs alongside seasonal demands.
Career pathway frameworks provide clarity on how to progress.
We encourage the development of well-rounded ecologists who can talk about all stages of a project.
We offer internal and external training and mentoring, including from our in-house experts.
We award a significant financial bonus to anyone achieving Chartered Ecologist status through CIEEM.
We work closely with many other teams, including our own Planners, Archaeologists, Landscape Architects, Masterplanners and Engineers.
With a culture of openness, there is always someone within the business who can provide advice and support for almost any query.
