Environmental Advisor - Durham

NES Fircroft; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy is seeking a Site-Based Environmental Advisor in Seaham, County Durham. The role involves providing specialist support, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and engaging with stakeholders. Applicants should have a degree in Environmental Science and strong communication skills. Experience with UK legislation and a full UK driving licence is required. This position offers a unique opportunity to impact project delivery and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of UK environmental legislation and best practice standards.
• Experience engaging with regulators (EA, SEPA, NE).
• Full UK driving licence with willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist environmental support and site supervision.
• Ensure compliance with environmental obligations.
• Liaise with regulators and stakeholders.

Skills

Strong communication and influencing skills

Proactive problem-solving

Ability to translate complex requirements

Strong organisational skills

Education

Degree in Environmental Science or related field

Tools

GIS

Environmental monitoring tools

Job description

Role: Site-Based Environmental Advisor

Project: EGL1

Location: Site-based in Seaham County Durham

Hours: 7:30 - 18:00 as per site requirements.

Reports to: Environmental Manager

Purpose of the Role

To provide specialist environmental support and site supervision, ensuring compliance with all projects environmental obligations, including the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), Contractors Environmental Performance Requirements (CEPR), planning conditions, and statutory consents. The Environmental Advisor will act as the key interface between the site teams, the Employer, regulators, and local stakeholders to ensure works are delivered in line with best practice environmental standards.

Key Responsibilities

Environmental Compliance & Documentation

• Review environmental documentation and prepare site-specific environmental records (RAMS, mitigation plans, Pollution Prevention Plans, Site Waste Management Plans, etc.).
• Ensure the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) is implemented, updated, and aligned with CEPR requirements.
• Maintain records to demonstrate legal and contractual compliance, including permits, licences, consents, and exemptions.
• Provide six-week lookahead environmental planning to the Employer.

Site Supervision & Monitoring

• Provide day-to-day environmental supervision through audits, inspections, and surveys of site activities.
• Ensure environmental risk assessments are up to date and controls are in place across work fronts.
• Monitor noise, vibration, dust, water, materials management, and waste management in line with legal and contractual requirements.
• Lead site environmental inductions, toolbox talks, and awareness training for staff and subcontractors.
• Investigate environmental incidents and support closeout of corrective actions

Technical & Advisory Role

• Provide proactive specialist advice on environmental controls, mitigation, and constraints specific to the cable route (ecology, archaeology, hydrology, invasive species, etc.)
• Organise and coordinate pre-construction surveys and specialist consultants.
• Advise on reinstatement, restoration, and surface water management in line with SEPA, EA, and local authority requirements.
• Contribute to project meetings by identifying site sensitivities and required management measures.

Stakeholder & Regulator Engagement

• Liaise directly with regulators and stakeholders (e.g., SEPA, EA, Natural England, NatureScot, Marine Scotland, local authorities) regarding permits, monitoring, and compliance.
• To organise, co-ordinate and manage Environment and Ecology surveys in-line with current legislation and recommendations from the pre-construction surveys.
• To organise, co-ordinate and manage specialist consultants on site by providing a scope of works relevant to operations and in-line with programme.
• Support community engagement by monitoring nuisance (noise, dust, vibration), investigating complaints, and ensuring agreed Codes of Conduct are followed.
• Ensure all regulator and stakeholder communications are documented and reported to the Employer.

Emergency Preparedness & Incident Management

• Maintain and regularly update the Environmental Emergency Response Plan (EERP), ensuring site teams are trained and drills are carried out.
• Lead the response to environmental emergencies (spills, sediment incidents, pollution events).
• Ensure root cause analysis of incidents and lessons learned are reported.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Environmental Management, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of UK environmental legislation, permitting, and best practice standards (e.g. CIRIA, BS 5228, ISO 14001).
• Experience engaging with regulators (EA, SEPA, NE, NatureScot, etc.).
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel along project route. Support to Scotland site in Dunbar may also be required on an ad-hoc basis.

Desirable:

• 3-5 years’ experience in the civils sector / earthworks along with site experience.
• Membership of IEMA, CIEEM, CIWEM, or equivalent professional body.
• Experience on HV cable, utilities, or linear transport schemes.
• Competence in GIS, environmental monitoring tools, or site auditing software.

Key Skills

• Strong communication and influencing skills (with regulators, site teams, and stakeholders).
• Ability to translate complex environmental requirements into practical site solutions.
• Proactive problem-solving and risk management approach.
• Strong organisational and reporting skills.