At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain and operate our network. Now is a fantastic time and join our team in Wales and Western region as we finalise the reforms to our maintenance organisation which will deliver:
- A safer and more reliable and punctual service for passengers and employees - quicker fault fixes by more agile multi-disciplined response teams.
- Individual rostering - enabling us to send the right number or people to fix a fault.
- Multi-skilling - investing in the knowledge and skills of our people so they are better equipped to fix the most common faults themselves.
- Accelerated and improved technology deployment - we have a raft of labour and life-saving technology ready to be rolled out.
Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When your part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!
About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We look for opportunities to offer great opportunities to learn and grow through personal and professional development. And, if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that joined the top 50 in the Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.
We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here
Overview
As the Senior Ecologist in South Wales, you will lead the provision of ecological expertise to the Delivery Unit. You will provide support and guidance to integrate the Network Rail Environment Policy and environment management systems, to deliver legislative compliant projects and to contribute to continuous improvement in environment and ecological management.
Your Main Responsibilities will be to
- 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 habitat 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 engineer
- 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 suitable for delivery teams to follow to ensure compliance against ecological legislation.
- Liaise with the Environmental Specialist team 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.
- Lead the production of periodic business reporting.
- Accountable for the production of environmental and ecological appraisal and recommendations reports
Pay and Rewards
Salary: This role is a Band 3.B. - £46,701 - £56,963 per annum.
As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!
- Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
- A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
- GWR ticket alliance, Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network (48 passes per year)
- Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
- A range of Pension schemes to choose from
- Effectively manage work-life balan ce with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, flexible working, flexible leave, and enhanced family friendly support.
- 5 days paid volunteering leave.
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
- In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.
To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here .
More about the role and your application
This role requires working in the office for a least 60% of the working week. Office location can be Baglan, Cardiff or Newport.
To submit your application, click apply now . For tips to help you prepare and apply click here
Applications will close on 21st July 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
We want to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity. Therefore, s hould you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please do let us know by contacting Elisabeth Holmes on 07395 387432
Should you wish to have a chat about this role, please contact George Barratt on 07922 010256
You will ideally have
- Full/associate/graduate membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (depending on experience)
- Experience in delivering projects to a 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 orientated 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
- Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety within your application.
What could set you apart
- Working knowledge of CDM Regulations
- Knowledge and experience of operational railway environment
- Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard
- Experience obtaining and delivering development licences for protected species
- 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
Not sure if you meet all the requirements? Let us decide . Some of these criteria may be learnt in role. Therefore, if you do not meet all the criteria, please submit your application. We will screen your application against these criteria to assess the best match.
