Graduate Ecologist

Based out of the Belfast office, this early-career role within AECOM’s Nature team focuses on delivering ecological services, biodiversity assessments, and nature-based solutions for major infrastructure and environmental projects.

Job Description

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your career by gaining valuable work experience within an established and successful consultancy. 

About our Team 

Our Nature team is part of AECOM’s Environment, Water and Energy business (one of the leading environmental consultancies in the UK and Ireland) which delivers environmental management services for feasibility, designing innovative nature-based solutions, delivery and management of environmental impact assessment for planning and environmental due diligence to mitigate environmental risks.

We work across terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments in a wide range of sectors: energy, water, government, manufacturing and transportation. Most of our work is based in the UK and Ireland, and there may also be opportunities overseas including Europe, Middle East and Africa. 

Our ecologists work alongside architects, engineers, planners, economists and other environmental specialists on important projects. Together we provide the full range of ecological services including habitat and species surveys, impact assessment, advice on biodiversity mitigation, offsetting and enhancement, and management planning for biodiversity.

Here's what you'll do: 

In this role you will be working within a multi-disciplinary team on desk-based assessments and field surveys including preliminary ecological appraisal, UKHab Survey, biodiversity net gain data collection and assessments, and a range of protected species surveys. 

From time to time, fieldwork is likely to require working away from home and some working at night when surveying. In addition to field skills, good organization, research and planning skills are also required to support a team which works safely and to a high technical standard. 

You’ll also need to be able to work with a range of taxonomic groups, and you’ll be encouraged to pursue your own interests. 

Enjoy the Perks

At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Here is what you will get from us!

On the job support and learning

When a graduate starts at AECOM, we pair them with a senior member of the team who will guide and mentor them through their initial period working on live projects and business development tasks, to support with any technical queries. 

As an Ecology Graduate with AECOM, you will be trained in technical skills, safety, project management and business systems. We’ll support you with a structured graduate development programme to help you realise your full potential as an ecologist on some of the most significant projects in the UK, Ireland and overseas.  

Graduate Development Programme

Our 2-year graduate ADVANCE programme is designed to help you build your career in AECOM. You will attend several instructor-led training sessions where you will meet and hear from people across the business and take part in a series of interactive activities to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your role.   

Alongside the instructor-led elements of the ADVANCE programme, you will also engage with an online curriculum via AECOM University and can join the ADV ANCE webinar series.  We will provide you with all the support and tools you need to achieve your professional development ambitions, which may include Chartership with the relevant international professional institution.  

We have more than 750 graduates on our programmes across the UK and Ireland from more than 40 different disciplines, each making a tangible difference to the environment in which we live and work. The Professional Institute you will work towards is the Chartered Institute for Ecologists and Environmental Managers (CIEEM).

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:L

• 2:1 degree and above (or equivalent) in Ecology or a subject with ecological component - Ecology, Environmental Biology, Zoology, Environmental Diagnosis and Management, Wildlife Conservation/Biodiversity, Conservation Biology and Resource Management, Species Identification and Surveying, Environmental Science/Consultancy, Environmental Management and Sustainability, Biological Science, Geography 

• Keen interest and understanding of UK/Irish wildlife 

• UK/Irish plant and animal (indirect and direct field signs) identification skills

• Good practical field skills

• Previous exposure to protected species surveys

• Ability to record data efficiently and methodically

• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Microsoft Word and Excel

• Strong numeracy

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally & in writing with the confidence to engage with a variety of people and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss technical issues and capture feedback

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.  Ability to structure & prioritise work effectively through close cooperation with the team as a whole

• Self-motivation, enthusiasm, hardworking, with ambition and drive

• Strong report writing skills

• Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with colleagues

• Commitment to continued education and improvement through our approved training schemes 

• Willing and able to visit other locations on company business

• A full driving licence would be beneficial as the role will involve travel for site surveys with equipment and limited public transport access

• Previous experience in the ecology sector (eg, with an NGO as a volunteer or within a professional consultancy) would be beneficial, including work placements or relevant voluntary experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Postgraduate qualification in relevant subject

•   Proven experience of Phase 1 habitat or UKHab Surveys, Fossitt habitat, IVC and botanical surveys

• Working towards obtaining protected species licences, such as bats, smooth newt etc

• Membership of or working towards full membership of appropriate professional institution

• Evidence of published work in ecology field

At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!  

You must have permanent right to work in the UK as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges.

Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities.