Ecology Graduate

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world.

We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.

Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise and digital solutions to our work in transportation, buildings, water, the environment and new energy. We’re one global team - 47,000 strong - driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world.

**Business Line**: Environment

**Salary**: Competitive

JOB SUMMARY

AECOM are seeking Graduate Ecologists.

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your career by gaining valuable work experience within an established and successful consultancy.

Ecology is part of AECOM’s Environment business (one of the leading environmental consultancies in the UK and Ireland) which delivers environmental management services for feasibility, impact analysis and operational compliance as well as remediation, restoration and re-use of impacted property.

More than160 professional ecologists support AECOM’s goal to deliver a better world through effective management of the biodiversity that underpins natural capital.

We work across terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments in a wide range of sectors: power; utilities; development; government; manufacturing; oil and gas; and transportation. Most of our work is based in the UK and Ireland, and there may also be opportunities overseas including Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Our ecologists work with architects, engineers, planners, economists and other environmental specialists on important projects. Together we provide the full range of ecological services including habitat and species surveys, impact assessment, advice on biodiversity mitigation, offsetting and enhancement, and management planning for biodiversity.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

In this role you will be working within a multi-disciplinary team on field surveys including preliminary ecological appraisal, Phase 1 habitat surveys, other botanical surveys, ecological impact assessment and a range of protected species surveys.

From time to time, fieldwork is likely to require working away from home and some working at night when surveying.

In addition to field skills, good organization, research and planning skills are also required to support a team which works safely and to a high technical standard.

You’ll also need to be able to work with a range of taxonomic groups, and you’ll be encouraged to pursue your own interests.

As an Ecology Graduate with AECOM, you will be trained in technical skills, safety, project management and business systems. We’ll support you with a structured graduate development programme to help you realise your full potential as an ecologist on some of the most significant projects in the UK, Ireland and overseas.

We will also pair you with an experienced member of the team who’ll guide and mentor you through your initial period working on live projects.

**Minimum Requirements**:

- Keen interest and understanding of UK and/or Irish wildlife (where applicable)
- UK and or Irish plant and animal (indirect and direct field signs) identification
- Excellent field skills
- Previous exposure to protected species surveys
- Ability to record data efficiently and methodically
- Strong Microsoft Office skills including Microsoft Word and Excel
- Strong numeracy
- Ability to communicate effectively to internal and external clients, both verbally & in writing with the confidence to engage with a variety of people (clients, colleagues, stakeholders and sub-contractors alike) and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss technical issues and capture feedback
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail. Ability to structure & prioritise work effectively through close cooperation with the team as a whole
- Self-motivation, enthusiasm, hard working, with ambition and drive
- Excellent research and report writing skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues, client and stakeholders as appropriate as well as independently without losing initiative & focus.
- Ability to work flexibly under pressure, responding to changing project and programme demands.
- Commitment to continued education and improvement through our approved training schemes
- Willing and able to visit other locations on company business
- A full driving licence would be beneficial as the role will involve travel for site surveys with equipment and limited public transport access
- Previous experience in the ecology sector (eg, with an NGO as a volunteer or within a professional consultancy) would be beneficial, including work placements or relevant voluntary experience.

**For UK Ecology Roles**:

- Good knowledge of all UK environmental law and an understanding of the relevant planning systems

**For IRE Ecology Ro