Senior Site Ecologist

Balfour; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Site Ecologist to lead ecological monitoring on a significant renewable energy infrastructure project. The role involves ensuring compliance with environmental best practices and legislation, and managing ecological studies and site practices. The ideal candidate has a degree in Ecology or Environmental Science and experience in construction environments. This position offers flexible working conditions and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Smart working with flexible hours

25 days paid annual leave

Family friendly policies

Pension and share incentive plan

Qualifications

• Proven experience working as an ecologist in a construction or infrastructure setting.
• Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and ecological best practice.
• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards).
• Protected species licences (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological monitoring and mitigation during site works.
• Deliver toolbox talks and guidance to site teams on ecological best practice.
• Manage ecological surveys and habitat protection measures.
• Ensure compliance with ecological legislation and permits.
• Act as main point of contact for ecological issues.

Skills

Ecological monitoring

Communication skills

Knowledge of UK wildlife legislation

Experience in construction or infrastructure settings

Education

Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Site Ecologist role at Balfour Beatty plc.

About the Role

Our Balfour Beatty Power T&D team is proud to be playing a key role in delivering the Eastern Green Link – this is a landmark renewable energy infrastructure project for National Grid and SSE. Over the next five years, EGL will create a series of high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea “superhighways” that will transport clean, renewable electricity from Scotland’s wind farms to homes and businesses across England. This nationally significant programme is one of the UK’s largest ever grid upgrades, supporting the journey to net zero while strengthening energy security.

As a Senior Site Ecologist, you will bring your expertise to the heart of this transformative project. Acting as the on‑the‑ground ecological lead, you’ll ensure that all works are delivered in line with environmental legislation, project commitments, and best practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological monitoring and mitigation during site works.
• Deliver toolbox talks and guidance to site teams on ecological best practice.
• Manage ecological surveys, protected species considerations, and habitat protection measures.
• Ensure compliance with ecological legislation, permits, and commitments.
• Act as main point of contact for ecological issues with project managers, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Support the wider Environmental and Sustainability team in delivering project objectives.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline.
• Proven experience working as an ecologist in a construction or infrastructure setting.
• Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and ecological best practice.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and support multidisciplinary teams.
• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards).
• Protected species licences (desirable).

Benefits

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

About Us

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks. From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on‑going maintenance, our in‑house experts, flexible resources and industry‑leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK’s most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

We are members of WISE, ENEI, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence ‘Employer Recognition Scheme’ and actively encourages applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: [e-mail]