Network Rail
Senior Ecologist
Location: York or Newcastle
Department: AM Regional Health Safety & Environment (570539) G1
About Network Rail
Join our team at Network Rail! We are looking for a Senior Ecologist. At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We are an organisation where people truly matter.
We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. We are committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone.
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you! At Network Rail, you will also have a clear development path with access to training and additional qualifications.
In joining Network Rail, you are not only joining an organisation with a vital role to play for the country, but also a team of more than 40,000 people, and a business dedicated to being one of Britain’s best employers.
Network Rail Benefits
In addition to the above, you can enjoy a fantastic range of employee benefits, such as:
- 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
- 75% discount on rail leisure travel for you and your family
- 75% subsidised Season Ticket for work travel (includes Underground)
- A range of pension options
- Annual Performance Related Pay package
- Flexible and agile working arrangements
- Healthcare package
- Discounts on shopping
- Discounted Gym memberships and much more.
Brief Description
The Senior Ecologist will provide expert ecological leadership across Network Rail Infrastructure, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation, planning requirements, and internal standards. Operating at a Senior level, the role demands an experienced professional with a strong track record of delivering high-quality, pragmatic ecological advice in complex and evolving environments.
The Senior Ecologist will support route and project teams from early design through to construction and operation. This could include coordinating ecological inputs across multidisciplinary internal teams, the external supply chain, and regulatory bodies. The Senior Ecologist will act as a key advisor and influencer, building effective relationships across all levels of the organisation, from on-site delivery teams to senior leadership, while championing best practice and driving a culture of environmental stewardship.
The role will also contribute to the development and implementation of ecological tools, processes, and governance frameworks. This includes gathering and analysing data to support reporting, assurance, and continuous improvement across the environment function.
This role maintains a strong connection to operational delivery, requiring visibility, collaboration, and a solutions-focused approach to balancing ecological priorities with the needs of a complex infrastructure environment. The role requires flexibility and a willingness to travel across the relevant geographical area to engage with teams, visit sites, and fulfil the responsibilities of the position.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead and direct a team of Ecologists to undertake a range of railway infrastructure Ecological field surveys, including protected species surveys, Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, ecological impact assessments, support the completion of biodiversity accounting and the production of habit management plans.
- Oversee the specialist ecological advice and guidance provided to senior leaders, project management teams, Works Delivery and Maintenance teams.
- Lead the provision of regular project updates and deliver progress reports including risks and issues, to the relevant project / programme management team.
- Write clear, concise surveys, map target notes, and have the ability to compile vegetation management scoping documents in line with the relevant Network Rail standards and suitable for the Contracts & Procurement tendering purposes.
- Liaise with the relevant teams on project surveys and agree appropriate mitigation strategies to comply with current legislation.
- Direct the completion of data analysis from survey results to support the delivery of remitted works to programme.
- Lead the liaison process for Ecological compliance requirements with statutory bodies and local authorities.
- Support the production of periodic business reporting.
- Accountable for the production of environmental and ecological appraisal and recommendations reports.
Essential Criteria
- Full/associate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (depending on experience)
- Experience in delivering projects to specified timescales and within agreed budget parameters
- Experience in managing teams to deliver within prescribed timescales
- Experience in interpreting and presenting gathered survey data and delivering Ecologist reports that fulfil the varied remits
- Knowledge of rail maintenance delivery process and completing rare species surveys
- Good interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisation skills and be a task-oriented leader
- Full understanding of UK and European wildlife legislation and best practice guidance experience
- Comprehensive field experience with ability to identify Ecological constraints during site visits
- A relevant higher degree in Ecology, Zoology, Biological Sciences, or other relevant Environmental Sciences
- In-depth experience of Ecologist practices within the railway environment is essential
Desirable Criteria
- Working knowledge of CDM Regulations
- Knowledge and experience of operational railway environment
- Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard
- Experience attending client meetings and working with multi-disciplinary teams
- Full UK driving licence
- A good working knowledge of Network Rail IT systems and mapping tools
- One or more protected species survey licences.
Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.
Salary
£46,701 to £55,411 per annum.
Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets.
Closing Date
8th May 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
