Ecology Consultant

Assystem; East Chiltington; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution)

25 days’ paid annual leave + bank holidays

Professional fees reimbursed

Employee referral scheme

Job summary

Assystem is looking for an Ecology Consultant in East Chiltington to support a major infrastructure project. This role involves high-quality ecological support throughout the construction phase and requires close collaboration with various teams, ensuring compliance with ecological legislation and license conditions.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in Ecology or Environmental Science and experience in ecological surveys. Benefits include a pension scheme, 25 days of annual leave, and reimbursement of professional fees.

Qualifications

• Proactive ecologist with experience in construction-phase ecology.
• Confidence engaging with contractors and site operatives.
• Willingness to work predominantly on site throughout the project.

Responsibilities

• Conducting ecological surveys and site checks before site clearance.
• Monitoring construction activities for ecological compliance.
• Providing ecological advice to site teams and project management.
• Preparing ecological toolbox talks and regular briefings.

Skills

Ecological surveys

Ecological Clerk of Works support

Knowledge of UK wildlife legislation

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science

Job description

Today, Assystem is among the top three independent nuclear engineering firms worldwide. With over 60 years of experience in highly regulated sectors, the group supports public and industrial stakeholders in the execution of complex and strategic infrastructure projects, subject to high safety and security requirements.

Assystem mobilizes 8,000 experts in 13 countries and intervenes across the entire project lifecycle, in engineering, project management and digital solutions.

Job Description

We are recruiting an Ecology Consultant to support a large-scale infrastructure construction project. This role offers the opportunity to be embedded within the project team, providing consistent, high-quality ecological support throughout the construction phase.

Working closely with our client, principal contractor, and Assystem’s wider environmental and engineering teams, you will work within our on-site team, supporting compliance with ecological legislation, licence conditions, and agreed mitigation measures.

This role is suitable for an Assistant or Consultant Ecologist seeking to develop their experience in a major infrastructure delivery environment.

You will be responsible for assessing, managing, and monitoring ecological constraints across the construction site, providing clear and pragmatic advice to support safe and compliant delivery.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking ecological surveys and site checks prior to and during site clearance, including for protected and notable species
• Monitoring construction activities to ensure compliance with ecological legislation, licence conditions, and mitigation requirements
• Providing clear, practical ecological advice to site teams, subcontractors, and project management
• Acting as the on-site ecological focal point, supporting day-to-day decision-making
• Investigating, recording, and reporting ecological incidents, and supporting the implementation of corrective actions
• Delivering proactive ecological risk management to minimise programme and environmental impacts
• Preparing and delivering ecological toolbox talks and providing regular site-based ecological briefings
• Attending ECoW, construction, and site coordination meetings to maintain awareness of the works programme and ecological constraints
• Undertaking ecological walkovers, site inspections, and watching briefs as required
• Analysing ecological data and producing concise weekly reports for the client and Assystem internal teams
• Liaising closely with the client’s environment, sustainability, and construction teams
• Promoting a culture of continual improvement in on-site ecological practice through solution-focused support

Qualifications

You will be a proactive ecologist with a strong interest in construction-phase ecology and experience working on live sites or within regulated environments.

Typical requirements include:

• A degree (or higher) in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline
• Experience in ecological surveys and/or Ecological Clerk of Works support
• Good working knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and construction-phase mitigation
• Confidence engaging with contractors, site operatives, and project managers
• Strong communication and reporting skills
• A pragmatic, solution-focused approach to managing ecological risk
• Willingness to work predominantly on site for the duration of the project

Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIEEM) and experience undertaking watching briefs or protected species mitigation would be advantageous.

Additional Information

• Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution)
• 25 days’ paid annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy or sell days
• Professional fees reimbursed
• Employee referral scheme

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES ON RECRUITMENT FRAUD - We are committed to safeguarding candidates from fraudulent activity associated with our recruitment process. Please note that we will never offer specialist CV writing services, request payment or ask for sensitive personal information during the recruitment process.

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter! Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.