Senior Ecologist

Randstad Cpe London; Leeds; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad CPE London seeks a Senior Ecologist to lead ecological surveys for railway projects in Leeds, ensuring alignment with Network Rail standards and environmental policy. You will guide a team of ecologists, deliver field surveys, and produce comprehensive reports for project delivery and tendering.

The role requires deep knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, strong leadership, and the ability to liaise with stakeholders across senior management and external bodies.

Qualifications

• CIEEM membership (full/associate/graduate) depending on experience.
• Experience delivering projects to timescales and budgets.
• Experience managing teams to deliver on deadlines.
• Ability to interpret survey data and produce ecology reports.
• Knowledge of rail maintenance delivery and rare species surveys.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisational skills.
• Understanding of UK and European wildlife legislation and best practice.
• Comprehensive field experience to identify ecological constraints on-site.
• Higher degree in Ecology, Zoology, Biological Sciences or related field.
• Experience in railway ecological environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct a team of Ecologists to undertake railway ecological surveys, including protected species surveys and Phase 1 Habitat Surveys.
• Oversee ecological advice to senior leaders and project teams.
• Provide regular project updates, including risks and issues.
• Prepare surveys, target notes, and habitat management documents for tendering.
• Liaise with Environmental Specialist team on surveys and mitigation.
• Analyze survey data to support remitted works delivery.
• Coordinate ecological compliance with statutory bodies and authorities.
• Support periodic business reporting and environmental/ecological appraisals.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Project coordination

Stakeholder liaison

Data interpretation

Organisational skills

Ecology knowledge

Field survey planning

Task orientation

Education

Higher degree in Ecology or related Environmental Science

Tools

GIS / mapping tools

Network Rail IT systems

CDM awareness

Job description

Reference: RAILECOKU
Type: Contract
Position: Railway Ecologist
Location: Leeds, England
Industry: Health and Safety
Salary: Inside IR35

Job Title: Senior Ecologist

Job Purpose

To lead the provision of ecological expertise to Works Delivery or Delivery Unit. To provide support and guidance to integrate the Network Rail Environment Policy and environment management systems to deliver legislative compliant projects and to contribute to continuous improvement in environment and ecological management.

• PTS
• AC/DC

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and direct a team of Ecologists to undertake a range of railway infrastructure Ecological field surveys, including protected species surveys, Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, ecological impact assessments, support the completion of biodiversity accounting and the production of habit management plans.
• Oversee the specialist ecological advice and guidance provided to senior leaders, project management teams, Works Delivery and Maintenance teams.
• Lead the provision of regular project updates and deliver progress reports including, risks and issues, to the relevant project / programme management team.
• Write clear, concise surveys, map target notes, and have the ability to compile vegetation management scoping documents in line with the relevant Network Rail standards and suitable for the Contracts & Procurement tendering purposes.
• Liaise with the Environmental Specialist team on project surveys and agree appropriate mitigation strategies to comply with current legislation.
• Direct the completion of data analysis from survey results to support the delivery of remitted works to programme.
• Lead the liaison process for Ecological compliance requirements with statutory bodies and local authorities.
• Support the production of periodic business reporting.
• Accountable for the production of environmental and ecological appraisal and recommendations reports.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Full/associate/graduate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (depending on experience)
• Experience in delivering projects to a specified timescales and within agreed budget parameters
• Experience in managing teams to deliver within prescribed timescales
• Experience in interpreting and presenting gathered survey data and delivering Ecologist reports that fulfil the varied remits
• Knowledge of rail maintenance delivery process and completing rare species surveys
• Good interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisation skills and be a task orientated leader
• Full understanding of UK and European wildlife legislation and best practice guidance experience
• Comprehensive field experience with ability to identify Ecological constraints during site visits
• A relevant higher degree in Ecology, Zoology, Biological Sciences, or other relevant Environmental Sciences
• In-depth experience of Ecologist practices within the railway environment is essential

Desirable

• Working knowledge of CDM Regulations
• Knowledge and experience of operational railway environment
• Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard
• Experience attending client meetings and working with multi-disciplinary teams
• Full UK driving licence
• A good working knowledge of Network Rail IT systems and mapping tools

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.