Ecologist Rail

Carrington West; Ashford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company van provided

Job summary

Carrington West are seeking an experienced Ecologist to join our growing rail infrastructure team. The role involves providing ecological support across projects in the South East, working closely with construction teams to ensure compliance with Network Rail standards.

You will oversee multiple sites, handle PEAs, and contribute to shaping ecological delivery from Kent to South Essex, with a mix of office and site-based work and a company van provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' professional ecology experience.
• Rail ecology experience is essential.
• Strong understanding of Network Rail standards and ecological documentation.
• Experience in contractor or principal contractor environments.
• Experience completing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs).
• Ability to manage ecological constraints on construction projects.
• Comfortable working directly with site and project delivery teams.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide ecological support across projects in Kent, Sussex, Wessex and South Essex.
• Work closely with construction teams to ensure ecological requirements are understood and managed during delivery.

Skills

Rail ecology

PEAs

Network Rail standards

Contractor experience

Site delivery

Project management

Driving licence

Multi-site management

Job description

Are you an experienced Ecologist with a background working on rail infrastructure projects?

Do you have experience working for a contractor or principal contractor and want to join a growing business with an expanding portfolio of infrastructure work?

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000

Location: South East, with offices in Ashford and Colchester

Working arrangements: Approximately 2 days per week office-based, with regular site travel

- Company van provided

I’m looking for an experienced Ecologist to join an established infrastructure contractor delivering work across the rail sector while continuing to diversify into other major infrastructure environments.

Joining a busy HSQE team, you’ll take responsibility for ecological support across projects throughout Kent, Sussex, Wessex and South Essex, working closely with operational and project teams to ensure ecological requirements are properly understood and managed throughout project delivery.

This would particularly suit someone who enjoys being close to delivery and working directly with construction teams rather than operating solely in an advisory or client-side capacity.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' professional ecology experience.
• Previous ecology experience within the rail industry is essential.
• Good understanding of Network Rail standards, processes and associated ecological documentation.
• Experience working within a contractor or principal contractor environment.
• Experience completing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs)
• Strong understanding of ecological constraints associated with construction and infrastructure projects.
• Comfortable working directly with site and project delivery teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and sites across a wide geographical area.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Requirements

• Protected species survey and/or licence experience, particularly involving:
  • Great crested newts
  • Bats, including experience around structures such as railway arches
  • Birds
  • Badgers
• Experience across wider infrastructure, construction or civil engineering projects.
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as IEMA/ISEP or similar.
• Experience providing ecological advice throughout the construction lifecycle.

You’ll join a business with an established rail presence that is expanding its work across wider infrastructure sectors, creating the opportunity to gain exposure to a varied project portfolio.

The business is particularly interested in finding someone who can bring strong rail ecology experience and practical contractor-side knowledge, allowing you to add value quickly while becoming an important part of a growing HSQE function.