Graduate Ecologist

7 months ago


Chester, United Kingdom RSK Group Full time

Binnies part of the RSK Group are looking for Graduate Ecologists working within our Consultancy group on UK Water Engineering projects.

As a Graduate Ecologist, you will be taking part in our development programme. You will be a valued member of our highly experienced and widely respected team at Binnies. You will get the opportunity to work on an interesting and varied portfolio of work including flood, coastal and maritime projects for our clients such as the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and local authorities and a range of other sectors such as ports, water utilities, transport and renewable power. There is also opportunity to support our growing portfolio of water and catchment work including natural capital projects and Solutions By Nature; our joint venture providing nature-based solutions via blue-green infrastructure to the water industry.

We are a close team and have an active Ecology Community of Practice and pride ourselves on being at the forefront of ecological best practice and innovation. Our ecologists are empowered to work closely with our multi-disciplinary teams and shape projects to deliver more sustainable solutions and maximise Biodiversity Net Gain. Binnies is a registered Ecological (CIEEM) and Landscape Practice (Landscape Institute) and holds the IEMA EIA Quality Mark, which is a benchmark of our high standards in EIA delivery.

We will provide mentoring and training to develop your field and ecological assessment skills, and progress through CIEEM to eventual chartership. We will also support you to obtain protected species licences depending on where your ecological interests lie. Binnies pay for two professional memberships as part of our benefits package.

Binnies offers you possibilities on an international scale with offices worldwide and projects completed in 100 plus countries. What’s more, you can work on exciting global projects regardless of where you are physically located. Whatever industries and technologies interest you, Binnies can get you there. You will also gain experience and expertise in all aspects of the UK Water Industry.

Role responsibilities:

- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) - assisting with undertaking all aspects of EIA at all stages of the project, including SEA, feasibility, screening/scoping, reporting
- Providing general environmental support on a wide range of projects including fluvial and coastal flood risk management, water utility, rail, renewable/ energy projects and other large scale infrastructure
- Supporting environmental fieldwork
- Environmental Clerk of Works roles
- Liaising with project teams, clients, stakeholders and the public as required

About You:
The role is suitable for entry level ecology graduates or those with up to 2 seasons of experience.
- have an ecological/environmental related degree
- have some practical experience of undertaking ecological surveys
- have an understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain
- have excellent written and oral communication
- have the ability to organise, manage and prioritise work, with or without supervision, in order to meet tight deadlines and deliver well-planned work schedules
- are willing to work unsociable hours as required by the business in order to deliver specific contracts
- hold a full UK driving licence

The following experience is also preferred but not essential;
- bat sound analysis
- experience of using Arc suite (Collector, Survey 123) or similar
- membership of CIEEM (any level)
- have (or working towards) a protected species licence

**Benefits**:

- Competitive salary
- Flexible working (part time available, remote working for part of the role)
- Flexible benefits e.g. buy annual leave, varying pension contributions, options for private healthcare
- Continuous training and development - tailored training agreements towards chartership

We develop intelligent solutions using our award-winning integrated planning and design approach to deliver functional infrastructure and lasting environmental and social legacies. This is backed by a culture that has stayed true since our foundation over 100 years ago. We create new possibilities for humanity through our innovative approach to delivery.

Together with our clients, we are always striving to find a smarter way to deliver projects. From providing low carbon, sustainable and resilient water solutions, flood alleviation and environment services, to connecting people with insights and data. Our business exists to improve the quality of life for our local communities today and for generations to come.

Binnies is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then. In fact, Environment Analyst recently highlighted RSK’s growth commenting, “Few companies in the environmental services sector can claim to be expanding