Join the Southern Region where your work truly matters.
Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day.
This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail.
From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference. .
Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision .
An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the creation, implementation, and continuous development of the Wessex Vegetation Maintenance Plan. The role is responsible for producing annual vegetation management remits and providing technical and programme support to the Project Team in delivering the centrally funded lineside vegetation portfolio across the Wessex Route.
In this key role, you will need knowledge and experience of arboriculture plus habitat management and restoration. The role involves specifying management not just for trees but multiple habitats including: woodland, grassland, heathland to blend risk to the operational railway with the requirements of wildlife legislation and biodiversity goals of the railway.
This role will lead the creation and ongoing development of the Wessex Vegetation Management Plan. The suitable candidate should have significant experience working on the lineside environment with an understanding of railway practices and standards along with environmental and ecological knowledge within the railway environment.
The suitable candidate would be producing annualised remits for vegetation management to ensure the needs of the operational railway and our multiple stakeholders are met. The candidate must have the ability to carry out tree inspection and survey using THREATS whilst supporting the Project team with the delivery of the centrally funded programme of lineside vegetation works across Wessex route.
The role also encompasses the management of in-house and external ecologists to mange compliance to legislation, company standards, biodiversity commitments and to promote ecological awareness throughout Wessex Route.
An adaptable, flexible approach will be required to help move Wessex route towards a lineside where the vegetation is managed to produce a safe working environment that values nature and enhances biodiversity.
Essential
- Working knowledge of a formal tree risk assessment method
- Fit to undertake trackside duties
- Relevant degree or equivalent technical qualification
- Membership of a relevant professional institution
- Experience of contracting
- Knowledge of safety management and quality assurance
- Demonstrable understanding of BS3998
Desirable
- Knowledge of railway standards relating to vegetation management
- Habitat conservation and restoration experience
- Experience of managing a large tree population
- Knowledge of structuring safety cases in support of projects
- Accident investigation experience
- Chartered status or equivalent in related discipline
- Appreciation of environmental issues in engineering works
How to apply
Band & Salary: £55,596 - £67,813
Vacancy type: Perm
Location: Basingstoke
Closing date: 10th September 2026
We're an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions.
We offer excellent benefits, including:
¿ Generous annual leave with the option to buy/sell days.
¿ Defined benefit pension scheme.
¿ 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
¿ Up to 75% off leisure travel.
Carer's leave to support those who matter.
¿ Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
¿ We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
Discover all our benefits and what life is like at Network Rail.- click here
Click apply now to apply.
Been referred by a friend, then please complete this form
Small actions lead to big impact. The way we collect and use data helps keep our teams safe and our network resilient. Find out more in this short video: Why we need diversity data
We're proud to champion a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To explore our ED&I commitments, https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/diversity-and-inclusion/ .
You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****
