Principal Soils and Agriculture Consultant

AECOM; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Principal Soil and Agriculture Consultant to join their dynamic Nature team based in Leeds or other UK offices. This role involves managing soil surveys, analyzing data, and preparing high-quality reports and plans. Candidates should have a degree in environmental science, strong leadership skills, and a familiarity with soil management practices. The position offers a flexible hybrid working model and requires travel for fieldwork. Join us to make a significant impact on environmental management.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in environmental science, ideally with soil science.
• Membership of British Society of Soil Science and/or Institute of Agricultural Engineers.
• Experience leading and managing soil surveys.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of soil and agriculture consultancy services.
• Plan and organize soil surveys with internal and external surveyors.
• Prepare technical reports and soil management plans.

Skills

Leadership and management

Soil science expertise

Analytical skills

Project management

Education

Degree in environmental science or related field

Job description

Job Summary

Join our dynamic Nature team as a Principal Soil and Agriculture Consultant in Cambridge, Leeds, or one of our other UK offices, and take advantage of our flexible hybrid working model. AECOM is at the forefront of innovation, delivering exceptional environmental land management assessment and planning through long‑term partnerships with key clients.

In this role, you will combine field soil surveys with report writing and management plan formulation, while receiving internal and external training and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support delivery of high‑quality soil and agriculture consultancy and advisory services to both internal and external clients.
• Comply with internal business management procedures and promote a strong health and safety culture.
• Plan, schedule, and organise surveys with internal and external soil surveyors, ensuring necessary resources, budgets, and controls are in place to meet programme and budget requirements.
• Organise, lead, and carry out soil surveys, including augering and excavation using hand tools.
• Analyse, evaluate, interpret, and present soil data, including preparing reports and management plans.
• Support development of technically robust reports and soil management plans, including leading or providing technical checks for project deliverables, ensuring high‑quality outputs.
• Keep abreast of developments in soil and land management, including soil health and carbon sequestration, to support continued technical capability growth.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in environmental science, ideally with soil science; additional soil expertise may have been acquired post‑qualification.
• Membership of British Society of Soil Science and/or Institute of Agricultural Engineers.
• Experience leading and managing soil surveys, ideally for agricultural land classification.
• Availability for travel/overnight stays.
• Understanding of soil chemical and physical properties and analysis for specifying soil and land suitability for re‑use.
• Experience scoping and pricing work, managing projects and budgets, and leading stakeholder discussions.
• Experience reviewing technical work and supporting wider team members.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. If you require reasonable accommodation for the application process due to a disability, please contact [e-mail]. AECOM is a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants with a disability or long‑term condition who meet the minimum criteria for the role.