Ecologist

Ecologist

Milton Keynes +1 Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Conduct ecological surveys and guide teams on environmental best practices.
  • Company: Join Network Rail, a leader in sustainable infrastructure.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and commitment to diversity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity and responsible project delivery.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Ecology or related field and strong field experience.
  • Other info: 12-month FTC with opportunities for career growth.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Location
Bletchley, GB

Department Name
AY Environment Manager, (Envi Eco Arb – Regional), Indirect G2

About Network Rail
Join Network Rail – Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we\’re dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you\’re not just part of a team – you\’re part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.

We\’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we\’ll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

If you\’re ready to make a real difference, we\’d love to hear from you

Brief Description
**This is a 12 month FTC opportunity**

Bring your ecological expertise to the heart of our Works Delivery and Delivery Units. You\’ll play a key role in guiding and supporting our teams, ensuring that environmental best practice isn\’t just an add-on, but fully integrated into everything we do.

From embedding our environmental management system to driving legislative compliance, you\’ll help us protect habitats, support biodiversity, and deliver projects responsibly. If you\’re passionate about making infrastructure greener while ensuring smooth delivery on the ground, we want you on our team.

About The Role (External)
Bring your expertise to our Works Delivery and Delivery Units, helping embed environmental best practice into projects and ensuring legislative compliance. You\’ll play a key role in protecting habitats, supporting biodiversity, and driving responsible infrastructure delivery.

Working with colleagues, stakeholders, and environmental specialists, you\’ll combine hands-on fieldwork with high-level analysis to shape decisions and deliver measurable improvements.

Key responsibilities:

  • Conduct ecological field surveys, including protected species and habitat surveys.
  • Analyse and report on survey results, providing clear recommendations.
  • Lead environmental impact assessments and mitigation strategies.
  • Guide project teams with expert ecological advice and practical solutions.
  • Build strong relationships with statutory bodies, local authorities, and stakeholders.

Essential

  • Comprehensive field experience
  • A relevant higher degree in Ecology, Zoology, Biological Sciences, or other relevant Environmental Sciences
  • Good understanding of UK and European wildlife legislation and best practice guidance experience
  • Be able to identify baseline Ecological constraints during site visits
  • Have significant experience of standard survey protocols and methodologies
  • Ability to complete rare species surveys
  • Good interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisation skills
  • Task orientated team player
  • Strong report writing skills

Desirable

  • Knowledge of operational railway environment
  • Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard
  • Full/associate/graduate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (depending on experience)
  • Experience attending client meetings and working with multi-disciplinary teams
  • Competent with Microsoft Office
  • Full UK driving licence

How To Apply (External)
Salary
: £4 3,588 – £51,719 Band 4C.

Closing date
: Friday 10th October Late applications will not be accepted.

Click
apply now
to apply.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you\’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits
– To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

  • Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****

Locations

Milton Keynes England

Ecologist employer: Network Rail

At Network Rail, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values the contributions of every team member. As an Ecologist in Bletchley, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on environmental practices while enjoying a healthy work-life balance and access to professional development opportunities. Join us in our commitment to protecting biodiversity and delivering responsible infrastructure projects that matter to millions.
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Contact Detail:

Network Rail Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Ecologist

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the ecology field! Attend local events or join online forums where you can connect with others. This not only helps you learn about job openings but also gives you insights into what employers are looking for.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your ecological knowledge and recent legislation. We recommend practising common interview questions and having examples ready that showcase your field experience and problem-solving skills.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of a strong online presence! Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills and experiences, and engage with content related to ecology. This can help you get noticed by recruiters looking for candidates like you.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply directly through our website for the best chance at landing the job! Tailor your application to highlight how your expertise aligns with our commitment to environmental best practices and biodiversity.

We think you need these skills to ace Ecologist

Ecological Field Surveys
Habitat Surveys
Protected Species Identification
Environmental Impact Assessments
Mitigation Strategies
UK and European Wildlife Legislation
Standard Survey Protocols
Report Writing Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Team Collaboration
Knowledge of ISO 14001
Microsoft Office Competency
Driving Licence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Ecologist role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in ecological field surveys and environmental impact assessments. We want to see how your skills align with what we do at Network Rail!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about ecology and how you can contribute to our mission of integrating environmental best practices. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for our team.

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your report writing skills and your understanding of UK and European wildlife legislation. We’re looking for someone who can communicate complex information clearly, so make sure to demonstrate this in your application.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Network Rail

✨Know Your Ecology Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your ecological knowledge, especially regarding UK and European wildlife legislation. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your field experience that demonstrate your understanding of environmental best practices.

✨Showcase Your Survey Skills

Be ready to talk about your experience with ecological field surveys. Highlight any rare species surveys you've conducted and how you analysed the results. This will show your practical skills and ability to provide clear recommendations.

✨Build Relationships

Since you'll be working with various stakeholders, think of examples where you've successfully built relationships in previous roles. Discuss how you can influence and communicate effectively with local authorities and statutory bodies.

✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios

Expect to face scenario-based questions during the interview. Prepare to explain how you would approach a specific ecological challenge or project, detailing your thought process and the steps you'd take to ensure compliance and protect habitats.

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