Site Ecologist

About the role

Management of the Ecology Permitting system while providing ECoW services to operations teams e.g., watching briefs, onsite ecological assessment, nesting bird checks, advising on exclusion zones.

You will be the point of contact for subcontractors on site including ECoWs, specialists, habitat creation and vegetation clearance operatives. The role will see you collaborate with Biodiversity Lead in their role to audit habitat loss and creation. Actively help deliver a culture of continual improvement of on‑site ecological practice that is solution‑orientated to support construction teams.

Reporting to the Balfour Beatty Ecology Area Lead, the Site Ecologist will perform the following key activities:

• Provide pragmatic advice and site support to operational teams on ecological requirements.
• Develop and support implementation of ecological requirements in their area, e.g., deliver TBTs and briefings to site teams, conduct watching briefs.
• Build and maintain relationships with design teams and internal teams.
• Support site compliance with ecological legislation and coach construction teams in applying controls and mitigations in pragmatic, cost‑effective ways.
• Ensure site compliance with ecological legislation and coach site teams in applying controls and mitigations in pragmatic, cost‑effective ways.
• Support investigations and report on ecological incidents.
• Undertake habitat suitability assessments and protected species surveys where required.

• Good knowledge of ecological management and mitigation.
• Good understanding of ecological legislation for development.
• Full UK driver’s licence and flexibility to travel.
• Good understanding of environmental management for construction sites.
• Good understanding of the utilities/construction/engineering operating environment.

The following qualities/experience are desirable:

• Experience of working on large scale infrastructure construction projects.
• Educated to degree or Masters level in Ecology or a related subject.
• At least one protected species survey licence.
• CIEEM Membership.

• 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.

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

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://disabil

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.