Ecologist (Reading)

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We have opportunities available for Ecologists to join our Reading office to be part of our National specialist Ecologist cohort. The successful individuals will join a respected and ambitious company with excellent career prospects both locally and internationally. We actively support the professional development of staff, through our Global Career Framework, Chartership Academy Programme, Employee Networks and our Community of Practice networks, which connect us to over 200 Jacobs ecologists in the UK and Ireland, and over 600 globally.

The role will include:

• Delivering some of the most challenging, diverse and innovative infrastructure projects.
• A combination of desk and site‑based tasks – there will be a requirement to work across the UK and at times, stay away from home during the working week.
• Using your experience in protected species survey, Ecological Clerk of Works, Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Working in multidisciplinary teams – quickly building rapport and trust to ensure that terrestrial ecology requirements are recognised, acknowledged and constraints acted upon.
• Engagement with both internal and external clients, customers and environmental regulators.

Here is what you’ll need:

• A background in terrestrial ecology with relevant industry experience including technical reporting and impact assessment in cognisance of national legislation and guidance.
• Associate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (or similar / experience to obtain membership).
• An experienced ecology surveyor and a good field scientist.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports.
• Inquisitiveness and willingness to learn.
• The ability to work well as part of a team.
• A ‘hands on’ work ethic and good self‑awareness.

Ideally you’ll also have:

• Current and full driving licence.
• A technical specialism in the field of terrestrial ecology.
• We are particularly keen to build upon our expertise in habitats, bats and ecological clerk of works. However, if that’s not you, but you have broad experience and ability to pick up other ecological interests quickly, we’d love to hear from you too!

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive:

• Up to 10% company contribution into their pension.
• Reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships.
• Support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched‑funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.
• Opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.

Wellbeing support and resources:

• Free employee medical cover and digital GP service, including support for obtaining formal diagnosis for ASD, ADHD and Tourette syndrome under Private Medical Insurance.
• A mindfulness platform.
• Dedicated Workplace Support 1:1 Counselling Consultations.
• Confidential information & counselling service provided by Optum.
• Emotional Wellbeing Solutions is a free confidential information and counselling service available 24/7 via phone or online.
• Experienced consultants are available to discuss finance, legal, family matters and counselling can be provided for personal support.
• Online demand fitness platform provided by Daily Burn.
• Personalised financial planning and support provided by Origin, with 1:1 access to dedicated certified financial planners.

Fertility and family benefits and support:

• Enhanced parental leave pay.
• Fertility healthcare and family‑forming benefit provided by Carrot.
• With Carrot, you can virtually chat with experts, explore educational resources, find a vetted provider, and use employer‑sponsored funds to pay for care.
• Get support with: understanding fertility health, preservation (egg, sperm, embryo), assisted reproduction (e.g., in vitro fertilisation), adoption, gestational surrogacy, donor assistance, pregnancy, menopause, and low testosterone.
• A free parental success solution and neurodiversity training benefit provided by Rethink Care Family.
• The family solution gives you and your family 24/7 access to behavioural health support tools and resources to help parents or caregivers of children raise happy, healthy and resilient children: 1:1 digital & live support – unlimited access to Board Certified Behaviour Analysts and thousands of clinically validated audio/visual trainings, including support with ADHD & developmental disabilities.
• Bridge the Gap is our parental transition programme which aims to make Jacobs employer of choice for working parents, supporting them before, during and after the life‑changing milestone of becoming a parent.

Work‑life balance and flexibility:

Work‑life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs. We’re happy to discuss the different working patterns we offer: part‑time roles, flexible working hours including compressed hours (working full time hours over fewer days), and annualised hours contract (working a defined number of hours over a year with an estimated average weekly hour pattern). We also offer the ability for employees to take time off in lieu to ensure staff have time to rest and recuperate between busy periods.

Company culture and community:

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees. With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximise your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role. We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.