Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist

About Network rail

At Network Rail, we re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We re an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula.

Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.
About our people and the recruitment process - We re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

• Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
• GWR ticket alliance Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 5 friends and family to use across the GWR network (20 passes per year)
• Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
• A range of Pension schemes to choose from
• Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, flexible working, flexible leave, and enhanced family friendly support.
• 5 days paid volunteering leave.
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
• In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.

To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here.

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here

Brief Description (Internal & External)

You will provide ecological expertise to Delivery Unit, including support and guidance to enable the environment management system to be integrated into the route teams to deliver legislative compliance. The role will include initial PEA surveys, phase 2 surveys, prioritisation of survey, ECOW, management of ecology contractors and giving advice and guidance to delivery teams within maintenance.
The normal working week is 35 hours and likely to be focussed on days, however there will be an occasional requirement to work nights or weekends.

About the role (External)

Your Main Responsibilities will be to:

• Undertake and complete a range of Ecological field surveys, including protected species surveys and extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys.
• Collate, write up and review survey results and mapping target notes and review to identify appropriate recommendations.
• Manage the implementation and embedding of recommendations to deliver continuous improvement.
• Undertake and complete environmental impact assessments.
• Lead the development of appropriate mitigation strategies, utilising results of surveys and liaising with Environmental Specialist s and the Arboriculture team.
• Analyse and interpret data, using specialist software programs. Produce periodic and ad hoc reports to a high technical standard within prescribed timescales.
• Provide specialist ecological advice and guidance to site managers, engineers, planners, and others associated with the undertaking and completion of surveys and / or assessments.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including statutory bodies, local authorities, and members of the public.
• Assist in the production of environmental appraisal reports.
• Carry out research as required.

You will ideally have

• Comprehensive field experience
• A relevant higher degree in Ecology, Zoology, Biological Sciences, or other relevant Environmental Sciences
• Good understanding of UK and European wildlife legislation and best practice guidance experience
• Be able to identify baseline Ecological constraints during site visits
• Have significant experience of standard survey protocols and methodologies
• Ability to complete rare species surveys
• Good interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisation skills
• Task orientated team player
• Strong report writing skills

What could set you apart

• Knowledge of operational railway environment
• Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard
• Full/associate/graduate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (depending on experience)
• Experience attending client meetings and working with multi-disciplinary teams
• Competent with Microsoft Office
• Full UK driving licence

Not sure if you meet all the requirements? Let us decide.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety within your application.

(External How to Apply)

Salary: £46,701 - £52,538 per annum

35 hours a week. There will be a requirement for some night-time and weekend working and office/site and home split is acceptable.
Closing date: 8th May 2024.

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Click apply now to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We re constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we re working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your application or interview please contact Wales&WesternCulturalFusion(at)networkrail.co.uk or visit the connect page: Wales and Western Cultural Fusion (). For all other support please contact your HR Business Partner.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak s Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please include within your application

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.

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