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- Tasks: Provide on-site ecological support and ensure compliance on construction projects.
- Company: Join RPS, a global environmental consultancy dedicated to protecting habitats.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, contributory pension, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity while working on exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in ecological consultancy and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Mentorship and training provided in a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
As an Environmental Clerk of Works (EnvCoW) within RPS’s Ecology team, you will provide practical, on-site environmental and ecological support to our clients across renewables, infrastructure and utilities during pre-construction, construction and early post-construction phases. You will ensure delivery of environmental and ecological mitigation, compliance with planning conditions and licences, and effective communication between contractors, project managers and statutory consultees. You will represent RPS on site, lead ecological supervision, provide rapid technical advice to avoid delays, and ensure high quality reporting and record-keeping to protect biodiversity and reputations.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day environmental and ecological supervision and monitoring on large-scale construction sites to ensure compliance with planning conditions, licence requirements and agreed mitigation.
- Deliver toolbox talks, ecological briefings and inductions for contractors and site operatives, translating ecological constraints into clear, actionable working methods.
- Supervise, undertake and quality-assure ecological surveys and inspections on site (e.g. for nesting birds, bats, reptiles, otter, badger, great crested newt, habitat condition checks) and maintain clear, auditable records.
- Implement and monitor exclusion zones, buffer areas and temporary protection measures; advise on remedial actions where breaches occur.
- Act as first point of contact for unexpected protected species encounters or other ecological incidents, provide proportionate on-site solutions and escalate to licensing authorities as required to avoid programme delays.
- Prepare concise, timely site visit reports, compliance audits and photographic records for clients and project files; contribute to CEMP/LEMP implementation and site-level ecological method statements.
- Liaise proactively with clients, project teams, principal contractors, statutory agencies (e.g. Natural England, NatureScot), and local ecological stakeholders to maintain positive working relationships.
- Provide practical input on minor design changes or temporary works to reduce ecological impact and support delivery of biodiversity outcomes, including input to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivery where requested.
- Support health & safety compliance on site and integrate ecological safeguards into contractor RAMS and permit-to-work systems.
- Mentor and supervise junior ECoWs and environmental technicians on site, promoting best practice and consistent standards across projects.
Person Specification
- Membership (or eligibility) of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
- Proven experience working as an Environmental/ecological Clerk of Works or in a hands-on ecological consultancy role on large infrastructure, renewables or utilities projects.
- Strong practical field skills for protected species and habitat checks; experience delivering toolbox talks and contractor liaison.
- Practical knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and statutory licensing processes (e.g. Wildlife & Countryside Act, Habitats Regulations) and experience working with statutory regulators.
- Experience of working under construction programmes and translating environmental constraints into pragmatic, deliverable mitigation measures.
- Good report writing and record-keeping skills with the ability to produce clear, timely site visit reports.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills; confident engaging with contractors, clients and regulators.
- Ability to work independently on site, make rapid, defensible decisions under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Full driving licence and willingness to travel regionally with overnight stays when required.
Desirable
- Protected species licences (e.g. bats, great crested newts) or demonstrable experience supporting licensed works.
- Experience with Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivery and habitat creation monitoring.
Salary and Benefits
- GIS/mapping skills or experience using mobile data-capture tools.
- Contributory Pension Scheme.
- Life Assurance.
- Flexible benefits including options to buy additional holidays and private health care.
- Flexible working hours and location options to support work-life balance.
- Company vehicle allowance or pool vehicle access for site duties (role-dependent).
- Supportive mentoring, career development and training opportunities across a growing, multi-disciplinary ecology team.
RPS is a global environmental consultancy committed to inclusive, high-quality delivery that protects people and habitats. Our UK ecology team works across renewables, infrastructure and utilities, delivering practical, compliant and innovative solutions that help clients progress projects while delivering measurable biodiversity benefits. We value respect, professional development and collaboration, and provide the resources and support for EnvCoWs to operate effectively on complex construction programmes. If you meet at least 75% of the criteria and are passionate about making a positive impact through ecology consultancy, we would love to hear from you.
Environmental Clerk of Works in Leeds employer: RPS
Contact Detail:
RPS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Environmental Clerk of Works in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that EnvCoW role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your ecological knowledge and practical skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with protected species and how you've tackled challenges on-site. Show them you're the go-to person for ecological supervision!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly through it. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from being proactive and showing your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you email. It’s a simple way to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Environmental Clerk of Works in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience as an Environmental Clerk of Works. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with the role. Talk about your practical field skills, report writing abilities, and any experience with ecological supervision or compliance monitoring.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your reports and examples are easy to read and understand, reflecting the high-quality reporting we value.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our careers page. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people and helps us keep track of all applicants efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at RPS
✨Know Your Ecology Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and statutory licensing processes. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles, especially in relation to protected species and habitat checks.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Environmental Clerk of Works, you'll need to liaise with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with contractors, clients, and regulators in the past. Think about specific situations where your communication made a difference.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios you might face on site. Think through how you would handle unexpected ecological incidents or breaches of planning conditions. Being able to articulate your thought process will show your problem-solving skills.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Mentoring
If you've had experience mentoring junior staff or leading teams, be sure to highlight this. RPS values collaboration and professional development, so share specific examples of how you've promoted best practices and supported others in their roles.
