Ecologist / Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) – England & Wales

• United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business, focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects, across the utility and social infrastructure sectors.
• Our team of highly skilled and hardworking specialists deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges our clients face.

Our company is split into two business areas

Utility Infrastructure –

Our team of Utility Infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical water, energy (gas), power and telecoms infrastructure, for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.

Social Infrastructure -

Our team of Social Infrastructure specialists revitalise homes and communities by carrying out a wide range of work, from retrofit to refurbishment, and maintenance.

Equal Opportunities Statement - At United Infrastructure, we are committed to making every interaction a positive and inclusive experience. If there is anything we can do to support you, remove barriers, or make the process more accessible, please let us know — we want this to be the best possible experience for you.

Ecologist / Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) – England & Wales

Reporting To: SHEQ Manager

Location: England & Wales – project based with regular travel to live construction sites

Function: SHEQ / Environment

Role Purpose

The Ecologist / Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) will provide specialist ecological advice, assurance and site-based support across infrastructure and construction projects throughout England and Wales.

Reporting to the SHEQ Manager, the role will ensure that construction activities are planned and undertaken in accordance with ecological legislation, planning conditions, client requirements, environmental permits, licences and project environmental commitments.

The role will work closely with project management, engineering, construction and environmental teams to identify ecological risks at an early stage and ensure appropriate mitigation is incorporated into the planning and delivery of works.

A key element of the position will be providing practical ECoW support on live construction sites, including pre-construction surveys, ecological inspections, watching briefs, toolbox talks and monitoring of sensitive works.

Key Responsibilities

Ecological Clerk of Works

• Act as ECoW for construction activities where ecological supervision or specialist advice is required.
• Undertake pre-construction ecological checks and surveys.
• Provide ecological watching briefs during potentially sensitive construction activities.
• Identify ecological constraints and communicate appropriate controls to project teams.
• Stop, pause or escalate works where there is a risk of ecological harm or breach of licence, consent or legal requirement.
• Provide advice on appropriate exclusion zones, buffers and working methods.
• Maintain accurate records of ecological inspections, observations, interventions and actions.

Protected Species

Provide specialist advice and site support relating to protected and notable species including, where relevant

• Bats.
• Badgers.
• Great crested newts.
• Otters.
• Water voles.
• Reptiles.
• Breeding and nesting birds.
• Barn owls.
• Dormice.
• Invasive non-native species.
• Other protected or priority species identified through project surveys.

Ensure project teams understand and comply with applicable protected species licences and mitigation requirements.

Surveys & Assessments

• Undertake or coordinate Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs).
• Support UKHab habitat surveys and condition assessments.
• Undertake protected species surveys within the individual's competence and relevant professional guidance.
• Review ecological survey reports produced by consultants.
• Support ecological input into Environmental Impact Assessments and project environmental documentation.
• Identify requirements for additional specialist surveys and consultants.

Construction Support

• Review RAMS and construction methodologies from an ecological perspective.
• Provide ecological input into Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs).
• Support preparation and implementation of Ecological Management Plans and Species Protection Plans.
• Undertake pre-start briefings and ecological toolbox talks.
• Work collaboratively with Site Managers, Engineers and Supervisors to develop practical solutions to ecological constraints.
• Attend construction and environmental planning meetings where required.

Biodiversity Net Gain

• Support project compliance with applicable Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
• Assist with baseline habitat assessments and condition assessments.
• Support development and implementation of biodiversity enhancement measures.
• Monitor delivery of habitat creation, restoration and enhancement commitments.
• Support collection and maintenance of evidence required to demonstrate delivery of biodiversity commitments.

Environmental Compliance

Provide ecological advice in relation to applicable requirements including

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
• Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
• Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
• Environment Act 2021.
• Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
• Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
• Applicable planning conditions, licences and consents.

Maintain awareness of legislative and regulatory changes relevant to project activities.

Pollution Prevention & Environmental Support

While primarily an ecological role, provide environmental support where required, particularly where construction activities could affect:

• Watercourses and aquatic habitats.
• Protected sites.
• Trees and vegetation.
• Sensitive habitats.
• Soil and habitat reinstatement.
• Invasive species.
• Habitat fragmentation and disturbance.

Ecological Incidents

• Respond to ecological incidents, unexpected discoveries and potential breaches.
• Provide immediate advice to project teams on appropriate actions.
• Support environmental incident investigations.
• Liaise with the SHEQ Manager and Environmental Manager regarding significant ecological issues.
• Support regulatory notifications where required.
• Ensure lessons learned are communicated across project teams.

Stakeholder Engagement

Develop effective relationships with project teams, clients, landowners, environmental consultants and statutory bodies including Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and relevant local authorities.

Represent the project at ecological and environmental meetings where required.

Reporting & Assurance

• Produce ecological inspection and monitoring reports.
• Maintain ecological constraints and action registers.
• Track ecological actions through to closure.
• Provide ecological information for project SHEQ reporting.
• Support client environmental audits and assurance visits.
• Maintain appropriate evidence demonstrating compliance with licences, planning conditions and ecological commitments.

Key Accountabilities

The role is accountable for

• Effective identification and management of ecological risks.
• Delivery of competent ECoW support.
• Compliance with protected species requirements.
• Implementation of ecological mitigation measures.
• Accurate ecological records and evidence.
• Timely escalation of significant ecological risks.
• Supporting delivery of project biodiversity commitments.
• Preventing avoidable ecological harm arising from construction activities.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology or a related discipline.
• Appropriate professional membership of CIEEM or equivalent.
• Good working knowledge of ecological legislation applicable to England and Wales.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Qualifications

• Associate or Full Membership of CIEEM.
• Protected species survey licences relevant to the project portfolio.
• CSCS/ECS or equivalent construction site competence.
• ECoW training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• UKHab training.
• Biodiversity Net Gain assessment experience.
• Environmental auditing qualification.

Essential Experience

• Practical ecological experience within construction, utilities, infrastructure or a similar environment.
• Experience undertaking ecological surveys and site inspections.
• Experience providing ecological advice to construction teams.
• Understanding of protected species legislation and mitigation.
• Ability to interpret ecological reports, licences and planning requirements.
• Experience producing clear technical reports and site records.

Desirable Experience

• Power Transmission & Distribution projects.
• Overhead line, underground cable or substation construction.
• Major linear infrastructure projects.
• National Grid or DNO projects.
• Experience working alongside multidisciplinary construction teams.
• Experience of BNG implementation on major projects.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong field ecology capability.
• Sound ecological judgement.
• Ability to translate technical ecological requirements into practical site controls.
• Confident communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to constructively challenge and stop activities where ecological harm may occur.
• Strong report writing and record keeping.
• Ability to work independently across geographically dispersed sites.
• Collaborative approach to working with operational teams.

Values & Behaviours

The Ecologist / ECoW will demonstrate integrity, professional judgement and visible environmental leadership. They will actively promote a culture in which environmental protection is considered an integral part of successful project delivery and will be empowered and expected to challenge or stop activities where there is a foreseeable risk of significant ecological harm or non-compliance.

Join us at United Infrastructure and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.