EIA Soil Consultant

ADAS; Frodsham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental consultancy in Frodsham is seeking an EIA Soil Consultant to support Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for major infrastructure projects. You will contribute to assessing the impacts on agricultural land and soil resources, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and IEMA guidelines. Ideal candidates will have a degree in environmental science or related fields and strong communication skills. The role offers competitive benefits including a contributory pension scheme and flexible benefits programme.

Benefits

Contributory Pension Scheme

Life assurance

Flexible benefits programme

Health cash plan

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• No prior experience required; familiarity with environmental planning beneficial.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to a fast-paced, multidisciplinary project environment.
• Ability to develop skills with a view of registration with a professional body, if not already.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and delivery of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
• Work closely with planners, engineers, and environmental specialists.
• Contribute to Development Consent Order (DCO) applications.

Skills

Strong report writing and communication skills

Keen interest in environmental protection

Good computer literacy

Ability to work as part of a team

Education

Degree in environmental science, geography, agriculture, or soil science

Tools

Microsoft Office (Sharepoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

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We are looking for a motivated and inquisitive individual to join our team as an EIA Soil Consultant, supporting environmental planning work on nationally significant infrastructure projects. This role will involve contributing to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and engaging with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, specifically focusing on the protection and sustainable management of agricultural land and soil resources. Your role will involve interpreting and applying relevant UK legislation, policy, and guidance, including IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) guidelines, to assess the effects of proposed developments and help identify opportunities for mitigation and enhancement.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a formal process used to identify and evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed development before it is approved. It ensures that decision-makers consider environmental impacts alongside economic and social factors. Your role will involve contributing to EIA documents, particularly in assessing how developments might affect agricultural land, soil health, and sustainable land use.

A Development Consent Order (DCO) is the planning consent required for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008. This streamlined process combines planning permission and a range of other consents into a single approval mechanism. You will contribute to DCO applications by supplying environmental information and specialist input related to soils and agriculture.

You will provide specialist advice to inform project design, aiming to reduce soil degradation and the loss of productive agricultural land. This will include helping identify sensitive soil types, advising on best practices for soil management, and supporting strategies to minimise long-term impacts on land use.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and delivery of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), focusing on agriculture and soil topics.
• Work closely with planners, engineers, and other environmental specialists to provide advice on land use and soil protection during the design, construction, operation and decommissioning phases.
• Contribute to Development Consent Order (DCO) applications, a key part of the planning process for major infrastructure projects in the UK.
• Undertake baseline surveys, desk-based research, impact assessments, and contribute to environmental statements.
• Help develop and implement practical mitigation measures to reduce the impact on soils and agricultural productivity.
• Produce clear, well-structured, and technically robust environmental reports and supporting documentation.
• Learn and apply national and local policies relevant to soil conservation and agricultural land classification (ALC).
• Assist with field surveys (e.g. soil surveys and other environmental and agricultural surveys).

Attributes Required

• A degree in environmental science, geography, agriculture, soil science, or a related field.
• No prior experience required; however, familiarity with environmental planning, soils, or land use assessment is desirable.
• Strong report writing and communication skills.
• Keen interest in environmental protection, land management, and infrastructure development.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to a fast-paced, multidisciplinary project environment.
• Ability to understand and communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner in English.
• Good computer literate with the ability to use Microsoft office programs including Sharepoint, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Be able to work outside in all weather conditions on rough terrain.
• Willingness and ability to work as part of a team.
• Full driving licence and own transport.
• Ability to develop skills with a view of registration with a professional body if not already e.g British Society Soil Science.

Other Desirable Attributes

Knowledge of the following points would be beneficial:

• Previous experience with Environmental Impact Assessments
• Understand the IEMA guidelines
• Experience in multi-disciplinary working and broad environmental sector experience
• An understanding of UK legislation and guidelines relevant to planning and construction.
• An awareness of current challenges facing farmers and land managers in terms of environmental, policy and financial issues
• Have experience of soil surveying and knowledge of Agricultural Land Classification (ALC)

Car and expenses

• When required to work at locations which require you to stay away from home the company will pay subsistence and accommodation rates within normal company policies.
• Mileage rate of 45p per mile for the use of own vehicle, subject to having the necessary business insurance cover.

Salary and benefits:

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Life assurance
• We encourage Continuing Professional Development
• A flexible benefits programme including the option to buy additionalholidays, health cash plan and discounted gym membership

RSK Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer

#Agriculture #EnvironmentalScience #Consultancy

RSK will not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies other than RSK PSL orSecondaryagencies