Senior Ecologist

Location: Tonbridge, Kent (base office location), with some travel to sites in the region, some remote working also possible, expenses can be claimed for travel to locations other than the base location in line with Network Rail expenses policy

Working hours: Mainly standard office hours, there might be a very rare occasion where weekend/night work is required.

To provide ecological expertise to key internal and external stakeholders including support and guidance to enable the Kent route to effectively manage ecological risks and constraints. This includes the identification, assessment, and mitigation of ecological receptors, support with integration of ecological compliance and assurance into the Southern region environment management system, and ecological risk assessment and risk management. This role is responsible for providing practical ecological advice to enable the safe and sustainable running of the railway and input towards mitigation licensing for protected species and ensuring legal compliance across all disciplines, as well as working within a wider community of practice across the region including mentoring more junior ecologists and managing ecological subcontractors.

1. Lead and mentor less experienced Ecologists to undertake a range of railway infrastructure Ecological field surveys, including protected species surveys, Habitat Surveys, ecological impact assessments, as well as undertake these surveys and assessments as required.
2. Provide and oversee the specialist ecological advice and guidance and supervision to ecologists, site managers, engineers, planners, and others associated with the undertaking and completion of surveys and / or assessments.
3. Liaise with the Environmental Specialist team on project surveys and agree appropriate mitigation strategies to comply with current legislation.
4. Direct the completion of data analysis from survey results to support the delivery of remitted works to programme.
5. Lead the liaison process for Ecological compliance requirements with statutory bodies and local authorities. Develop, maintain and manage effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including contractors, statutory bodies, local authorities, and members of the public.
6. Manage the contribution to the production of other sustainability periodic and ad-hoc reports. Support the Regional Sustainability Team with information to produce the periodic business reporting.
7. Accountable for the production of environmental and ecological appraisal and recommendations reports.
8. Analyse and interpret survey data, using specialist software programs. Produce reports to a high technical standard within prescribed timescales to cover ecology requirements and appropriate recommendations.
9. Manage implementing and embedding recommendations to deliver continual improvement.
10. Manage and advise on appropriate mitigation strategies and enhancement measures, utilising results of surveys and liaising with Environmental Specialists and the Arboriculture team.
11. Undertake assurance activities to confirm compliance with company and legislative obligations.

Essential:
Full/associate/graduate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (depending on experience)
Experience in providing mitigation advice in accordance with the best practice guidance and the legislation
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 protected 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

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