Ecologist

About us

COOMBES UK plays a key role in the rail industry, providing a whole manner of off-track solutions, and minor civils works, in partnership with Network Rail and other major contractors.  

COOMBES UK is also a leading Arboriculture and Forestry Contractor, with well over a decade of experience and expertise in the forestry sector. We have forged a strong industry reputation and we believe we have an unrivalled skill set and peerless knowledge of forestry work at all levels.

We have seen recent significant growth and we are proud to be a Principal Contractor and Framework Contractor to Network Rail, as well as having some exciting projects underway in woodland management, timber harvesting, rail and civils works across the country.  We are seeking skilled and experienced colleagues in a range of disciplines to support our growth and help us provide a service that is second to none.

COOMBES is a family-run SME where we value integrity, a positive ‘can-do’ attitude and working together as one team to give our clients the best possible service. We’re passionate about supporting the professional development of our colleagues and providing a working environment where you can truly be yourself.  If this is something you’d like to be part of, please reach out to us – we’d love to hear from you.

About this role

COOMBES is seeking a full time Ecologist to join our dedicated in-house Environmental team, on a full-time permanent basis.  As a key member of the Environment team, you will play an integral role in the implementation of our Environmental Strategy.  As Ecologist you will carry out ecological studies across a range of projects and environments to identify and advise how together we can balance the needs of our projects with those of the environment.

In this hands-on role, you’ll undertake Ecological Site Surveys to produce Preliminary Ecological Assessments. Working with Senior Ecologists, you will assist with Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulation Assessments, as well as leading and assisting with Protected Species Surveys. You will assist in the collation of data, information, and analysis, to play an active role in the production of reports and in the design of species and habitats mitigation measures.

As a motivating team player, you’ll be keen to support and mentor the Assistant Ecologists in day-to-day activities, as well as helping them to achieve personal development goals.

About you

As well as sharing the ethos and values of our Company, you will be keen to further your Ecology career in a commercial setting and put your experiences, skills and knowledge to practical use in supporting environmental goals set out in Rail and Infrastructure sectors.

You’ll be working in a similar role and have previous experience of assessments such as PEAs and site surveys. You’ll have a good understanding of the ecology of UK protected species such as bats, newts and dormice and may have, or be working towards, gaining survey class licences.  You’ll be up-to-date with current ecology best practices, have a good awareness of relevant wildlife legislation and may have, or be working towards gaining, Associate CIEEM membership.  Drawing on prior working experience, you’ll have a good understanding of how GIS or mapping software can be used to interpret environmental data to benefit surveys and reports.  You will also be highly organised, with excellent analytical skills and experience in data collation and report-writing.  

Naturally, you will be field-based for a significant amount of your time, so you must be happy to work in all that the British weather has to offer!  Based in Hampshire and conducting field work across the southern region, the successful candidate must be flexible in their approach to work, have a full driving licence and be willing to travel.

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