Environmental Clerk of Works

ROLE PURPOSE

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.

• 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 onsite 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, Nature Scot) 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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…