Ecology Consultant in East Bergholt

Assystem is an international engineering and digital services group specialising in low-carbon energy, infrastructure, and complex systems. In the UK, we support some of the country's most technically demanding and nationally significant projects across nuclear, transport, renewables, defence, and major infrastructure. Our Ecology team plays a critical role in enabling safe, compliant, and sustainable project delivery—working alongside clients, designers, and contractors to manage ecological risk throughout the construction lifecycle.

We are recruiting an Ecology Consultant to support a large-scale infrastructure construction project. This role offers the opportunity to be embedded within the project team, providing consistent, high-quality ecological support throughout the construction phase. Working closely with our client, principal contractor, and Assystem's wider environmental and engineering teams, you will work within our on-site team, supporting compliance with ecological legislation, licence conditions, and agreed mitigation measures. This role is suitable for an Assistant or Consultant Ecologist seeking to develop their experience in a major infrastructure delivery environment.

You will be responsible for assessing, managing, and monitoring ecological constraints across the construction site, providing clear and pragmatic advice to support safe and compliant delivery. Key responsibilities include:

• Undertaking ecological surveys and site checks prior to and during site clearance, including for protected and notable species
• Monitoring construction activities to ensure compliance with ecological legislation, licence conditions, and mitigation requirements
• Providing clear, practical ecological advice to site teams, subcontractors, and project management
• Acting as the on-site ecological focal point, supporting day-to-day decision-making
• Investigating, recording, and reporting ecological incidents, and supporting the implementation of corrective actions
• Delivering proactive ecological risk management to minimise programme and environmental impacts
• Preparing and delivering ecological toolbox talks and providing regular site-based ecological briefings
• Attending ECoW, construction, and site coordination meetings to maintain awareness of the works programme and ecological constraints
• Undertaking ecological walkovers, site inspections, and watching briefs as required
• Analysing ecological data and producing concise weekly reports for the client and Assystem internal teams
• Liaising closely with the client's environment, sustainability, and construction teams
• Promoting a culture of continual improvement in on-site ecological practice through solution-focused support

You will be a proactive ecologist with a strong interest in construction-phase ecology and experience working on live sites or within regulated environments. Typical requirements include:

• A degree (or higher) in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline
• Experience in ecological surveys and/or Ecological Clerk of Works support
• Good working knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and construction-phase mitigation
• Confidence engaging with contractors, site operatives, and project managers
• Strong communication and reporting skills
• A pragmatic, solution-focused approach to managing ecological risk
• Willingness to work predominantly on site for the duration of the project

Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIEEM) and experience undertaking watching briefs or protected species mitigation would be advantageous.

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people's ability to dare are the only things that matter! Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.