Senior Ecology Manager

East West Rail Company; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension contribution up to 12

36 days annual leave including bank +

2 volunteering days

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Perkbox discounts and wellbeing

Recognition programme

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) seeks an experienced ecologist to lead delivery and assurance of ecology and biodiversity assets through construction. This permanent role focuses on biodiversity net gain, on-site and off-site units, and monitoring habitats, including protected species licensing and Habitats Regulations assessments.

The post involves on-site ecological management, acting as Ecological Clerk of Works, and regular representation at conferences and with regulators.

Qualifications

• Career as a suitably qualified ecologist on major infrastructure or construction projects.
• Delivering biodiversity net gain and ecological mitigation on major infrastructure or construction projects.
• Developing and delivering biodiversity net gain strategies, including commercial acquisition of units.
• Protected species survey, licensing and mitigation, including European Protected Species licences.
• Site-based ecology on construction sites, acting as or managing an Ecological Clerk of Works.
• Securing and managing long-term biodiversity assets, including 30-year management and monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery and assurance of ecology and biodiversity assets through construction.
• Contribute to the biodiversity net gain strategy, securing on-site and off-site units and monitoring habitats.
• Manage protected species licensing and mitigation, including European Protected Species licences.
• Assist with the Habitats Regulations Assessment.
• Provide technical assurance of contractor ecology deliverables.
• Manage the Ecological Clerk of Works function on site, including seasonal and species constraints.
• Represent EWR Co at conferences, events and presentations on ecological management.
• Take responsibility for health and safety under EWR Co's principles.
• Seek creative solutions and bring innovation to challenges.
• Act as a role model for EWR Co's vision, behaviours and Ways of Working.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory liaison

Health and safety awareness

Cost-conscious decision making

Education

Degree in ecology or related subject

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Job description

This permanent post sits in the Technical function at East West Railway Company (EWR Co), which the Department for Transport set up to oversee East West Rail. The role leads delivery and assurance of ecology and biodiversity assets through construction, covering net gain, habitat creation, protected species licensing and on-site ecological management. It is site-based, with an Ecological Clerk of Works remit and a need to explain ecology to non-specialist teams and regulators. A valid CSCS card is required.

What the job involves

• Lead delivery and assurance of ecology and biodiversity assets through construction
• Contribute to the biodiversity net gain strategy, securing on-site and off-site units and monitoring habitats
• Manage protected species licensing and mitigation, including European Protected Species licences and monitoring
• Assist with the Habitats Regulations Assessment
• Provide technical assurance of contractor ecology deliverables
• Manage the Ecological Clerk of Works function on site, including seasonal and species constraints
• Represent EWR Co at conferences, events and presentations on ecological management
• Take responsibility for own and others' health and safety under EWR Co's principles
• Keep cost in view and take a cost-conscious approach to decisions
• Seek creative solutions and bring innovation to challenges
• Act as a role model for EWR Co's vision, behaviours and Ways of Working

What’s required

Experience

• Career as a suitably qualified and experienced ecologist on major infrastructure or construction projects
• Delivering biodiversity net gain and ecological mitigation on major infrastructure or construction projects
• Developing and delivering biodiversity net gain strategies, including commercial acquisition of units
• Protected species survey, licensing and mitigation, including European Protected Species licences
• Site-based ecology on construction sites, acting as or managing an Ecological Clerk of Works
• Securing and managing long-term biodiversity assets, including securing mechanisms and 30-year management and monitoring

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of the statutory biodiversity metric and preparing biodiversity gain plans
• GIS proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS
• Translating technical ecology for non-specialist site teams, regulators and stakeholders

Checks & eligibility

• Valid CSCS card

Nice to have

• Degree in ecology or a related subject, or equivalent qualification or experience
• Full CIEEM membership or Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) status
• Membership of CIWEM, IEMA or IES, or equivalent experience
• Relevant protected species survey licences
• Knowledge of the NSIP or DCO regime

What’s offered

• Employer pension contribution of up to 12%
• 36 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 2 extra days
• 2 volunteering days
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Life assurance at 4 times annual salary
• Employee Assistance Programme and Perkbox discounts and wellbeing benefits
• Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
• Learning and development opportunities