Job Description

At Network Rail, 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.

Scotland\'s Railway is part of this large family, and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. 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.

Our colleagues are encouraged to work flexibly as we know that busy lives don\'t always fit around a traditional working pattern, if you need flexibility to complete your role just let us know and we will do our upmost to help you to invest in your career with us while balancing other aspects of your life.

We\'re also a employer 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.

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone.

Brief Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Ecologist. You will provide ecological expertise to Works Delivery or Delivery Unit, including support and guidance to enable the environment management system to be integrated into the route teams to deliver legislative compliance.

About the role (External)

Here are some of the duties your role will include: -

\xc2\xb7 Undertake and complete a range of Ecological field surveys, including protected species surveys and extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys.

\xc2\xb7 Collate, write up and review survey results and mapping target notes and review to identify appropriate recommendations.

\xc2\xb7 Manage the implementation and embedding of recommendations to deliver continuous improvement.

\xc2\xb7 Undertake and complete environmental impact assessments.

\xc2\xb7 Lead the development of appropriate mitigation strategies, utilising results of surveys and liaising with Environmental Specialist\'s and the Arboriculture team.

\xc2\xb7 Analyse and interpret data, using specialist software programs. Produce periodic and ad hoc reports to a high technical standard within prescribed timescales.

\xc2\xb7 Provide specialist ecological advice and guidance to site managers, engineers, planners, and others associated with the undertaking and completion of surveys and / or assessments.

\xc2\xb7 Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including statutory bodies, local authorities, and members of the public.

\xc2\xb7 Assist in the production of environmental appraisal reports.

\xc2\xb7 Carry out research as required.

What you will bring to the role: -

\xc2\xb7 Comprehensive field experience

\xc2\xb7 A relevant higher degree in Ecology, Zoology, Biological Sciences, or other relevant Environmental Sciences

\xc2\xb7 Good understanding of UK and European wildlife legislation and best practice guidance experience

\xc2\xb7 Be able to identify baseline Ecological constraints during site visits

\xc2\xb7 Have significant experience of standard survey protocols and methodologies

\xc2\xb7 Ability to complete rare species surveys

\xc2\xb7 Good interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisation skills

\xc2\xb7 Task orientated team player

\xc2\xb7 Strong report writing skills

It\'s desirable if you have it to help give you context to the role: -

\xc2\xb7 Knowledge of operational railway environment

\xc2\xb7 Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard

\xc2\xb7 Full/associate/graduate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (depending on experience)

\xc2\xb7 Experience attending client meetings and working with multi-disciplinary teams

\xc2\xb7 Competent with Microsoft Office

\xc2\xb7 Full UK driving licence

How to apply (External)

Salary: Starting at \xc2\xa343,588 and rising to \xc2\xa349,037 per annum

Network Rail Benefits -

Closing date: 11th August 2023.

Please note the recruitment process for this role is a Competency based interview.

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. Please note that we are continuing to conduct our interviews on-line.

Click \'apply now\' to apply.

We\'re dedicated to creating an and we welcome applications from everyone!

Network Rail is a 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 for advice on accessibility support if you\'re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Drugs and Alcohol Standard:

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 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.

Network Rail