Ecology Placement Industrial Placement - Exeter- March 26 start

At AECOM, we are delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

Our Ecology team are currently looking to take on a placement student within our Exeter office on a fixed term 6 months, full time basis. Ideally from March 26 until September 26 with some flexibility on either side of these months. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career by gaining valuable work experience within an established and successful consultancy.

Our Nature team is part of AECOM’s Environment and Energy business which delivers environmental management services for feasibility, designing innovative nature-based solutions, delivery and management of environmental impact assessment for planning and environmental due diligence to mitigate environmental risks. We work across terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments in a wide range of sectors: energy, water, government, manufacturing 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 alongside 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.

Here's what you'll do:

You will bring to this placement the research, presentation and communication skills, and knowledge, which you are developing through your academic studies. We are offering you the opportunity to augment your studies with practical experience which kickstarts your career in environmental consultancy. We need people with inquiring minds who can ask the questions to understand and then shape projects to achieve environmentally beneficial outcomes. The ability to work with people with different perspectives is essential to understand what the project design means and how it matters to stakeholders. Effective communication – verbal and written – to seek understanding is therefore important, but we accept that it is a skill that develops over time. We like people with an appetite to learn and develop – taking personal responsibility but understanding how to confirm that we are getting to a good outcome.

Examples of work you may be asked to undertake to support projects include:

• Working within a multi-disciplinary team on desk-based assessments and field surveys including preliminary ecological appraisal, UKHab Survey, biodiversity net gain data collection and assessments, and a range of protected species surveys.
• Fieldwork may require working away from home and some working at night when surveying.
• Good organization, research, and planning skills are required to support a team which works safely and to a high technical standard.
• Ability to work with a range of taxonomic groups, and you’ll be encouraged to pursue your own interests.

Enjoy the Perks

Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days. During your time on placement, we will pair you with another member of the team who will guide and mentor you on live projects and business development tasks, supporting you with any technical queries.

Qualifications

Here’s what we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Working towards a 2:1 degree and above (or equivalent) in Ecology or a subject with ecological component.
• Keen interest and understanding of UK wildlife.
• UK plant and animal identification skills.
• Good practical field skills.
• Ability to record data efficiently and methodically.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong numeracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally & in writing.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Self-motivation, enthusiasm, hard working, with ambition and drive.
• Strong report writing skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with colleagues.
• Commitment to continued education and improvement through our approved training schemes.
• A full driving licence would be beneficial as the role will involve travel for site surveys.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in the ecology sector would be beneficial, including work placements or relevant voluntary experience.

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible since CVs will be reviewed, and candidates selected for an advanced offer start. Please include a covering letter with your application and provide all predicted and/or obtained academic grades. You must have the right to work in the UK.