Bat Technical Specialist – UK Wide

Location: UK Wide | Flexible / Hybrid Working

Embankment Group is working with a leading environmental consultancy that is looking to appoint an experienced Bat Technical Specialist to strengthen its national ecology team.

This role is suited to an ecologist with strong technical expertise in bat survey, assessment, licensing and mitigation who wants to take on a specialist position within a large and well-supported consultancy environment.

You will work across a varied portfolio of projects throughout the UK, providing specialist advice on complex bat-related issues and supporting projects from early survey design through to licensing, mitigation and implementation.

The role also offers the opportunity to help develop technical standards across the wider ecology team, mentor other ecologists and contribute to the continued growth of the business’s bat capability.

The Role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Designing and coordinating complex bat survey programmes.
• Undertaking daytime and nocturnal bat surveys across a range of habitats and development types.
• Providing technical advice on survey methodology, effort and interpretation.
• Using a range of bat detection, monitoring and analysis equipment.
• Analysing survey results and interpreting complex datasets.
• Preparing high-quality bat survey reports and technical assessments.
• Providing bat input into Ecological Impact Assessments and other environmental assessment documentation.
• Supporting Habitats Regulations Assessment where bat-related considerations apply.
• Developing practical avoidance, mitigation, compensation and enhancement strategies.
• Designing replacement and enhanced roosting opportunities.
• Preparing and managing bat mitigation licence applications.
• Working with clients and project teams to identify appropriate ecological solutions.
• Liaising with statutory bodies, regulators and other stakeholders.
• Supporting the delivery and supervision of licensed mitigation works.
• Managing survey programmes, project budgets, resources and technical outputs.
• Providing technical review and quality assurance of bat-related work produced by colleagues.
• Supporting tenders, proposals and new project opportunities.
• Mentoring ecologists who are developing their bat survey, assessment and licensing experience.
• Sharing technical knowledge, emerging research and best practice across the wider ecology team.
• Supporting the adoption of new technologies and approaches to bat survey and assessment.

About You

We are interested in speaking with experienced bat ecologists who can demonstrate:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience within ecology or a related discipline.
• Significant professional experience undertaking bat survey and assessment work.
• Strong knowledge of bat ecology, legislation, policy and industry guidance.
• Experience designing and delivering complex bat survey programmes.
• Confidence analysing bat survey data and producing technically robust reports.
• Experience developing bat mitigation and compensation strategies.
• Experience preparing or supporting mitigation licence applications.
• Strong knowledge of ecological impact assessment and project planning requirements.
• The ability to provide clear technical advice to clients and project teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supporting or mentoring other ecologists.

Candidates should ideally hold a Natural England Level 2 bat survey licence, or an equivalent licence in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or Ireland.

Experience as a Bat Earned Recognition Registered Consultant, or progress towards eligibility, would be particularly advantageous.

A full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake field travel will be required.

Career Development

This position offers the opportunity to develop as a recognised technical specialist while remaining closely involved in project delivery and field ecology.

You will have scope to strengthen your expertise in licensing, mitigation, advanced survey techniques and technical leadership, while also supporting the development of other ecologists across the business.

There will also be opportunities to take on greater project management, technical review and client-facing responsibility as your experience develops.

Flexible Working

The role is available on a UK-wide basis, with flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

Depending on project requirements, your time will be split between home working, fieldwork and occasional office attendance, with access to a national network of ecology and environmental specialists.