Senior / Principal Ecologist - Rail Integrated Opportunity

AtkinsRéalis UK Limited; Epsom; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible holiday allowances

Career development opportunities

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced ecologist to work on rail-related infrastructure projects, collaborating with clients to plan surveys, analyse results, and design mitigation. The role involves authoring ecological reports and licences and contributing to project budgets and schedules.

You will engage with multiple disciplines, drive innovation, and mentor colleagues toward professional Chartership, with tailored training and a supportive practice management framework.

Qualifications

• Full Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or actively working towards this.
• Ideally would hold a Natural England dormouse and/or bat licence.
• Strong skills in report writing, including Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments.
• Experience in authoring complex HRAs and/or local plan HRAs is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric.

Responsibilities

• Plan and undertake field surveys; analyse survey results and design ecological mitigation.
• Author and review a range of ecological reports and licence applications.
• Manage project programmes and budgets for rail infrastructure projects.
• Engage with other areas of the business to cross-sell AtkinsRéalis capabilities and drive work-winning.
• Provide mentoring support toward Chartership and career development.

Skills

CIEEM membership

Natural England licence

Report writing

HRA experience

Project management

Job description

Job Description Overview

Shape the future of our cities and environments. This role is specific to work within the rail market environment, collaborating directly with the client daily to make fast paced decisions using robust judgement and facilitating essential works challenging current ways of working to be more effective, innovative and digital. The role reports directly to AtkinsRéalis staff already seconded into this market. Join our organisation, where we have a huge variety of projects on‑the‑go at any one time. So when you start this role with us, it could take your career wherever your interests lie. You'll find everyone here is willing to pitch in and help because we all want you to succeed, and we're ready to help you grow. When it comes to living your life, we want you to get the most out of it. So talk to us about all our flexible and remote working policies that can support your personal priorities. Also, ask us about some of our recent pledges for Women's'Equality, as well as being a 'Disability Confident' and 'Inclusive Employer.' Our ecology team truly strives to make a positive difference to the natural environment, by working closely with other disciplines across our business to engage in projects from the outset, ensuring ecology is considered at the earliest possible stage. This collaborative working helps to drive forward nature positive schemes that we are proud of. Our award‑winning team of over 170 ecologists (including the President of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and three CIEEM Fellows) work across a range of exciting habitat creation, research, development and major infrastructure projects; we foster innovation and help inform policy. At AtkinsRéalis our people are the foundation of our business and that's why we put our people first. With this in mind, we provide an incredibly flexible and inclusive working environment with staff wellbeing being front and centre of all of our decisions. We also understand that not everyone chooses to take the university route in terms of education - we are open to taking on ecologists without a degree and we are working closely with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) to make entry into the environmental industry more inclusive for all. For us, it is the experience, knowledge and, above all, your ability to fit in well with our existing team of ecologists, that really matters.

Client facing/client interaction

The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of clients' requirements. Working knowledge of the rail market. Supporting on infrastructure projects, managing project programmes and budgets. Planning and undertaking field surveys; analysing and interpreting survey results. Designing and co‑ordinating ecological mitigation. Authoring and checking a range of ecological reports and licence applications.

Interdisciplinary engagement

The candidate will actively seek to engage with other areas of the business, seeking opportunities to cross sell and leverage AtkinsRéalis' capabilities, preparing bids, supporting on strategic opportunities, building client relationships (internal and external) and driving work‑winning in the region. Candidate will proactively provide innovation on projects and within the ecology team. Candidate may coach, mentor and support other staff members in their development. This role will have tailored mentoring and support towards achieving career goals, such as Chartership. Appropriate training courses external and internal will be reviewed with your mentor and Practice Manager.

About you

Full Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or actively working towards this.

Ideally would hold a Natural England dormouse and / or bat licence.

Strong skills in report writing, including preparing Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Chapters for Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessment (including Appropriate Assessment) and Protected species survey licence(s).

Experience in authoring complex HRAs and/or local plan HRAs is highly desirable.

Strong working knowledge and experience of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric.

Ideally project management experience including technical, financial and quality assurance aspects.

Experience of working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and familiarity with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, would be viewed favourably.

A desire to contribute to the growth and development of the team.

A full UK/EEC driving licence.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life. Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees.

As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

Worker Type Employee Job Type Regular At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.

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