About the Role

Transport for Wales has awarded KeolisAmey a multi-billion-pound contract to run the country's rail network. This is the biggest ever contract to be awarded in Wales and we will work closely with Transport for Wales to deliver a new era for passengers and for Wales, with more services, newer trains, better stations and a more reliable network.

As part of this contract we will be delivering £738million South Wales Metro, in partnership with the Welsh Government and the Cardiff Capital Region. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a key infrastructure project from inception to operation. As part of these works we require an experienced Senior Ecologist to join the team in Cardiff to help us deliver the transformation works.

What will you do?

We are developing a Cardiff based team of ecologists to deliver the extensive protected species survey requirements, to draft Ecological Impact Assessments and protected species licence applications associated with the Transport for Wales Contract. The role will require the applicant to be comfortable in working closely with Natural Resources Wales Protected Species team and the County Ecologists, situated across five unitary authorities. In addition, it is anticipated that the ecology team will undertake all ECoW duties during construction and deliver & monitor all protected species mitigation requirements. The role will focus on working with engineering design teams helping to de-risk design prior to approval and providing a technical input into planning applications in the form of survey reports and technical summaries.

Responsibilities

• Identify, forecast and resource ecological survey requirements in relation to both the design and construction programmes.
• Coordinate and plan the delivery of all ecological surveys and technical reporting required as part of planning and licence applications; utilising and managing both the in-house ecology team and external ecological sub-contractors.
• Undertake the role of Ecological Lead for the project providing advice and direction to the ecology and environmental teams as well as the design teams and Principal Contractors to ensure compliance with legislation, licencing and planning commitments.
• Mentor the ecology team ensuring their professional development needs are identified and delivered.
• Organising and co-ordinating meetings with Local Authority ecologists, NRW and other stakeholders as required.
• Working with design and construction teams to ensure that the relevant ecological surveys and licences have been carried out/obtained within set timeframes without compromising the construction programme.
• Attend engineering integration meetings and be able to authoritatively communicate key ecological requirements to ensure they are captured within preliminary and detailed design.

Personal Profile

Experience and skills required:

Essential

• A strong undergraduate degree in Ecology, Zoology, Botany, Biology, Environmental Science (with a strong ecology focus) or similar/equivalent.
• A minimum of five years demonstrable post-graduate experience preferably in a professional ecological consultancy role encompassing large rail/infrastructure projects.
• Full Membership of CIEEM or equivalent with expertise in protected species surveys.
• EPS Mitigation licence application experience and Protected species licence holder or working towards same (notable species: bats & dormice).
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation and ecological survey methodologies.
• Experience in Invasive species survey and management.
• Excellent reporting writing skills with experience in drafting & critically reviewing ecological reports; including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments and Method Statements.
• Experience of working closely with regulatory authorities and various stakeholders.
• Experience of managing a team of ecological consultants and/or third-party contractors.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to plan and deliver works in line with budgets and programme deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss ecological issues and capture feedback.
• Health and Safety awareness, especially safe working practices and risk assessment related to ecology fieldwork.
• Valid driving licence.

Desirable

• Relevant post-graduate degree;
• Chartered Ecologist or working towards same;
• Hold at least one European protected species survey license;
• Personal Track Safety and rail experience;
• Experience of working in Wales and Welsh nature conservation legislation.

About Amey

In order to be successful in this role you will need to be a proactive and self-motivated individual who works well under pressure. It is important to us that you are a leader and a team player but also have the ability to influence and inspire others and above that you have a genuine passionate about the environment.

This is your chance to work on the biggest contract ever to be awarded in Wales. This contract offers an exciting and varied role which will help you develop in your environmental career. We offer excellent benefits for our employees including a Contributory Pension and Life Assurance Scheme, discounted gym membership, staff discounts, 25 days holiday per year plus statutory holidays, Cycle to Work Scheme, private healthcare, childcare vouchers and an Employee Assistance Programme.