Environmental Specialist in Oxford

The role holder will support the implementation of the Rail Sustainability Plan, managing environmental and social risks and opportunities, promoting best practice, and ensuring compliance across all project activities. This position plays a key role in embedding sustainable behaviours, driving positive environmental outcomes, and supporting continuous improvement in sustainability performance.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Contribute to the implementation of the Rail Sustainability Plan, including driving actions, monitoring progress, and reporting.
• Manage project environmental and social risks and opportunities; support project teams to develop and maintain environmental management and sustainability plans.
• Lead on environmental and sustainability engagement, promoting sustainable behaviours and innovation, and maintaining project documentation.
• Provide advice on environmental management, compliance, pollution control, and ecological protection.
• Support applications for environmental consents, licences, and permits, ensuring compliance responsibilities are met.
• Deliver training and upskilling for project teams and contractors through toolbox talks, on-site learning, and development activities.
• Record and report environmental and sustainability data, best practices, and lessons learned; ensure monthly uploads to the sustainability portal.
• Support work-winning activities as required.
• Investigate environmental incidents, complaints, and close calls; ensure corrective actions are implemented and preventative measures established.
• Undertake planned and unplanned inspections, audits, and reviews of site activities; produce formal reports and communicate findings to project teams.
• Support design teams during the planning stage to identify risks and opportunities to reduce carbon, waste, and biodiversity net loss.
• Liaise with clients, regulatory bodies, and subcontractors on environmental management and sustainability matters.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Construction experience.
• Site based role - daily inspections and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of environmental management and statutory requirements, including environmental legislation, ecology mitigation, licensing, and consents.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively to achieve shared outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.
• Strong planning, organisation, and problem-solving abilities; committed to task completion.
• Competent in data management, record keeping, and report writing.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Professional membership (e.g., IEMA, CIEEM, CIWEM) at Practitioner level or above.
• Degree qualified or equivalent in experience.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience developing, implementing, or improving EMS certified to ISO 14001.
• Internal environmental auditor qualification.
• Knowledge of the construction or rail/engineering industry.
• Understanding of the Section 61 consent process.
• Awareness of social value and socio-economic performance principles.
• Experience implementing waste hierarchy, circular economy, and beneficial re-use practices.
• Experience managing legislative issues, planning permissions, and environmental consents.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.