Location
Newcastle upon Tyne, with opportunities across multiple office locations in England or remote working available.

Hours
Flexible, hybrid and agile working arrangements.

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
SLR Consulting Limited is seeking multiple licenced bat ecologists (Natural England Class 2 and above) with proven experience in securing mitigation licences. We particularly welcome applications from Bat Earned Recognition (BER) registered consultants (Level 1 – 3), those eligible to be BER accredited agents, or individuals looking to become BER registered consultants to join our expanding Ecology and Biodiversity team in the UK. Opportunities are available across multiple grades.

You will work on a diverse portfolio of projects and sectors, including Power, Mining and Minerals, and the Built Environment, delivering high-quality bat surveys, mitigation strategies, and technical reporting. This role offers the exciting opportunity to lead ecology inputs to large and complex projects, which form an increasingly significant part of our work.

While the focus is on bat expertise, we encourage ecologists with additional skills in other protected species, botany, ornithology, or related fields to continue developing and utilising those competencies. We ensure a broad range of work and training opportunities to support your professional growth.

Duties include undertaking a variety of bat surveys such as Daytime Bat Walkover, Daytime Preliminary Roost Assessments (PRA), dusk emergence and dawn return surveys, backtracking, hibernation surveys, Ground Level Tree Assessment (GLTA), and advanced techniques including trapping and radiotracking. You will record and manage survey data to a high professional standard using advanced survey equipment and technology, including in-house data recording apps and automation software, working closely with the digital team to maximise efficiencies.

Additional responsibilities include completing BER site registrations, European Protected Species Licence (EPSL) applications, mitigation works supervision, method statement implementation, and contributing to technical reports. You will design and oversee bat mitigation and compensation strategies for various bat species, including maternity and hibernation roosts, across diverse sites such as linear infrastructure, complex structures, major power, and renewable energy projects.

Rewards & Benefits
SLR's ‘One Team’ culture fosters a collaborative and supportive environment for development and growth. We offer a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and support towards chartership, professional qualifications, and licences.

Our flexible benefits package includes competitive salary with discretionary bonus, company pension, private medical insurance, life, income and travel insurance, salary sacrifice car lease and cycle-to-work schemes, volunteering and community giving, 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays with buy or sell leave options, core working hours, cross-border remote working and sabbatical opportunities, enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay, workplace nursery benefit, Employee Assistance Programme, and specialist support for mental health, stress, and menopause.

Experience
Demonstrable experience in bat surveys, licensing, mitigation, and supervision. Experience across a range of ecological consultancy areas is welcomed. Proven ability to secure mitigation licences and deliver high-quality technical outputs.

Competence in bat survey and mitigation techniques, ideally holding a Natural England Class 2 bat licence or above. Experience with BER registration (Level 1 to 3) or eligibility to be accredited is highly desirable.

Familiarity with relevant UK ecological legislation and policy. Experience in project management duties such as planning and scheduling surveys, budget management, and client liaison is desirable.

About you
Proactive in developing your technical knowledge and sharing expertise to mentor junior team members. Enthusiastic about working in a collaborative environment and committed to continuous professional development.

Holds a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications
BSc in Ecology, Biological Science, Zoology or equivalent; MSc is desirable.
Eligible for CIEEM membership (level dependent on grade).