Site Ecologist

Balfour; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure company in the UK is seeking a proactive Site Ecologist to provide on-site ecological support across various construction projects. The successful candidate will conduct ecological surveys, ensure compliance with legal requirements, and work closely with operational teams. Applicants should have a degree in Ecology and strong knowledge of ecological management and environmental regulations. The role offers flexible working arrangements and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Flexibility with remote working

Family friendly policies

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of ecological management, mitigation, and legal requirements.
• Experience working on large-scale infrastructure construction projects.
• CIEEM membership preferred.
• Good understanding of environmental management on construction sites.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site surveys, inspections, and ecological monitoring.
• Provide practical, cost-effective solutions to ecological challenges.
• Support design teams, clients, and stakeholders with ecological consultancy services.
• Contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain initiatives and ecological enhancement designs.

Skills

Ecological management

Legal requirements in ecology

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree or Master's in Ecology

Job description

About The Role

Balfour Beatty is looking for a proactive Site Ecologist to provide on‑site ecological support and advice across our construction projects. You will work closely with contract and operational teams, ensuring ecological requirements are met safely, efficiently, and in line with legal and company standards.

What you'll be doing

• Conduct on‑site surveys, inspections, and ecological monitoring.
• Provide practical, cost‑effective solutions to ecological challenges.
• Support design teams, clients, and stakeholders with ecological consultancy services.
• Contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain initiatives and ecological enhancement designs.
• Help drive a culture of continuous improvement in on‑site ecological practice.
• Ensure compliance with ecological legislation and company environmental standards.
• Investigate and report ecological incidents as required.

Who we're looking for

• Degree or Master’s in Ecology or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of ecological management, mitigation, and legal requirements.
• Experience working on large‑scale infrastructure construction projects.
• CIEEM membership.
• Good understanding of environmental management on construction sites.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem‑solving skills.
• Full UK driver’s licence and willingness to travel.

Why work for us

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.

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.

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 ongoing 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.

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture 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 encourage 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].