Network Rail
Ecologist
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Who We Are
At Network Rail, we're the publicly owned operator of Britain's rail infrastructure.
We're trusted custodians of one of our nation's most critical public assets: Scotland's Railway.
We keep Scotland moving - connecting people and places, supporting businesses, public services and communities - driving economic, social and environmental success.
Our work spans almost 20% of the UK network and between 2024 and 2029, we're investing £4.8 billion to enhance our stations and routes, supporting new passenger and freight rolling stock.
Working together with train operators, our investment will mean a more reliable, climate resilient railway; a better customer experience; and greener, more sustainable travel that links cities, towns, urban and rural communities with each other and with the wider UK.
But it's our people who make this progress possible. At Network Rail Scotland, you'll find an inclusive, supportive and flexible working culture where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real. Join us.
This is your railway - and it's moving forward. For more information about Network Rail click here.
About The Role
Brief Description
We are looking for a dedicated and experienced ecologist to join our growing in-house ecology team. In this hands-on role, you will not only provide ecological expertise to Scotland's Railway's internal and external delivery teams but offer guidance to seamlessly integrate Network Rail standards, policies and strategies with environmental best practice, legal requirements and emerging innovation. Your role will support the delivery of cost-effective projects against a robust ecological specification, showcasing your professional stewardship of our lineside environment and the biodiversity it contains.
This is an exciting opportunity for an individual to support a diverse range of railway projects, including vegetation and tree management, geotechnical and drainage works, maintenance and renewal activities, the installation of new infrastructure and feeding into the wider ecology strategy. Given the types of work you will support, the role would ideally benefit from the individual having demonstrable experience of working as a professional ecologist, being at least Associate level of membership of CIEEM and have your own protected species licences or be a subject matter expert in another area.
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Here are some of the duties your role will include:
- Providing specialist ecological advice and guidance to project managers, site managers, engineers, planners, and others associated with the undertaking and completion of ecological surveys and / or assessments.
- Undertaking a range of ecological field surveys, including protected species surveys, habitat surveys and Ecological Clerks of Works supervision and support during works.
- Collating and reviewing survey data and producing robust ecological reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Environmental Impact Assessments, Habitat Regulations Appraisals, Constraints and Opportunities reports, and species-specific technical reports and protection plans.
- Designing and advising on mitigation measures appropriate to the species and / or habitat, liaising with Environmental Specialists and the Arboriculture team where appropriate, and produce robust documentation to support licensing. Recommending biodiversity enhancement measures where appropriate.
- Demonstrating excellent communication and problem-solving skills to liaise with project teams and suppliers to offer expert ecological advice, respond to queries and attend progress meetings.
- Reviewing and providing quality assurance on ecological reports and deliverables produced by internal and external ecologists.
- Writing robust ecological scope of works to support documentation being issued for tender.
- Working to tight deadlines and responding quickly to support reactive railway works.
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including statutory bodies, local authorities, and members of the public.
- Taking ownership of the ecological aspects of a project and overseeing this to project completion, including working with the Commercial team to manage the budgetary aspects of this.
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Salary
Starting at £43,588 and rising to £51,719 per annum.
Closing date
Midnight of 28th July 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
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.
We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone! 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 add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Your Experience And Skills
What you will bring to the role:
- 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
It's desirable if you have it to help give you context to the role:
- 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
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