SLR Consulting | Ecological / Environmental Clerk of Works

SLR have a rare opportunity for an Ecologist, or Environmental Advisor, looking to specialise in an Ecological or Environmental Clerk of Works role within an experienced and fast-growing technical discipline.

You may wish to have a split remit within a busy ecology and ornithology team – balancing projects engaged in the planning, construction and operation/monitoring phases. Perhaps you are an Ecologist or Ornithologist with ECoW or EnvCoW skills and would like to have more emphasis on the construction phase within a supportive and experienced technical team. We are also actively recruiting experienced ECoWs and EnvCoWs who wish to move into an active role in developing new clients and managing projects in the region.

At SLR we have a depth of expertise in these roles. Including leadership from staff engaged in co-authoring the first ECoW and Environmental Advisory on Construction Sites professional training for the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. Plus, many others that have delivered these roles over many years. Our supportive line management understand the engaging nature and challenges of these roles and the support required to benefit the individuals. We help our clients define the roles and responsibilities of the ECoW and EnvCoW which is an important step to give clarity to all, selecting from the options available prior to works commencing. Our team work alongside related technical disciplines within a sustainability focussed business. This gives our site-based staff the back up and confidence to deliver informed advice to our clients.

These roles would be suited to someone based near our offices in the North region (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Newcastle) a remote worker alongside our growing team in Inverness, in the Border Counties or Moray/Aberdeenshire. Given that our sites range far and wide please get in touch if you live in another area to support our project work throughout Scotland, the Island of Ireland, England and Wales.

About us

The successful candidate would be joining a highly ambitious, international multidisciplinary consultancy with an established and well-respected ecological presence in the UK. Our combined SLR Consulting, Wardell Armstrong, ITPEnergised and MacArthur Green team are highly respected ecologists and ornithologists who deliver site surveys and assessments for a varied sector base. You will benefit from the collective ambition of a vibrant team and leadership from many experts including three of the CIEEM Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines authors, one of the UKHab Directors, co-author of the original CIEEM ECoW and Environmental Advisory training courses and many more technically skilled consultants.

SLR are global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We are a consultancy with more than 3,500 employees across 6 regions – including over 1,500 staff across Europe. SLR’s ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business; providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development.

Along with competitive salaries, our staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension plus excellent healthcare offering, travel and life insurance, critical illness cover and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression. Alongside 25 day’s annual leave, SLR offer flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, and our family friendly policies help balance the needs of professional and family life. High quality optical equipment for surveys is provided.

Our 150+ strong Ecology & Biodiversity team across the European region has expanded in recent years with significant skills in biodiversity gain, ornithology, freshwater and terrestrial ecology, Ecological/Environmental Clerk of Works and Natural Capital. We retain a smaller consultancy team feel, well connected with our other sustainability-focussed technical teams, whilst keeping sight of each person’s career aspirations in our decisions.

The role

The role will involve leading and managing/assisting with ECoW/ EnvCoW roles alongside wider surveys, assessments and mitigation projects if desired. Due to the nature of client sites and survey types, the position will likely involve working across the country and potentially out-of-hours work. For candidates that wish to remain closer to home, please get in touch as we have project management and assessment roles in our team. We are open to candidates that require flexible working requirements (e.g., part-time working). We offer training, where required, in Ecological and Environmental Clerk of Works to be able to carry out this complex and challenging role with support from experienced members of the team.

Duties will suit your career ambitions and skills and may include some of the following:

• Managing and overseeing ECoW, EnvCoW or ecological aspects of projects, advising clients on schemes such as renewable energy projects, including wind farms, mixed use and residential developments, minerals and waste projects and infrastructure projects
• Managing, delivering and assisting with ecological surveys for a range of fauna, where desired
• Keeping accurate site records in accordance with the principles of scientific data collection, with experience in handling, recording and storing data effectively
• Having a good understanding of wildlife and environmental legislation and being able to communicate this clearly to colleagues, clients and contractors
• Supervision and mentoring of ECoW or EnvCoW staff and enabling team and personal development goals to be achieved for experienced candidates
• Preparing fee proposals and scope of works, report writing and technical review of peer and sub-contractor reports
• Liaising with other SLR technical teams on a variety of subjects, whilst working closely with senior members of the ecology team in other SLR offices, both in UK and overseas

The role will involve working with other team members located across the UK, the Republic of Ireland and may require short-term travel across the UK and potentially overseas, depending on client/project sites.

About you

We are looking for candidates with experience of delivering an impartial design, implementation or auditing, supervisory, compliance role for the Developer/Client, Contractor, or Environmental Regulator or Consenting Body. You will have gained a general knowledge of habitats and botany, as well as protected and notable species in the terrestrial and aquatic environment.

For those engaged in EnvCoW roles you will have a general working knowledge of noise/vibration, air quality waste, hydrology, pollution prevention/control and may have working knowledge of archaeology/ heritage. Experience of reporting on compliance with planning consents, ecological licensing/ environmental permits, legislation and mitigation are essential.

• A passion for ecology and environmental sciences, for delivering high quality work and for
• assisting the career development of other ecological professionals.
• Professional and efficient report writing skills
• A good theoretical grounding in ecology and environmental assessment
• Hold a BSc Ecology, Biological Science, Environmental Science or equivalent (MSc desirable) plus appropriate level of membership of CIEEM, AEnvCoW or equivalent
• Demonstrable field survey and mitigation design skills, ideally including for habitats and protected/notable species experience of relevance to Scotland or the north of England
• Experience of supervising works under species licences (Schedule 1 birds, mammals, fish etc.) or environmental permits (e.g., CAR licensing, Waste Transfer Notes etc) would be an advantage
• Competence in time and project management, including managing budgets and planning work in line with health and safety procedures

Please note that due to rural travel requirements, a full driving licence is required for this position.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional DE&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all individuals regardless of their background can thrive.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently underrepresented at SLR, such as: LGBTQ+ people, ethic minority groups, women, and individuals with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent.

Should you require any special adjustments throughout the recruitment process with us, please let us know. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we seek to ensure all applicants have equitable support when applying to SLR.