Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access
to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted
infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies
for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our
services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team
of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and
other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM are seeking a Graduate Ecologist in our Edinburgh Office to join us in March 2025. 

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

About our Team 

Ecology is part of AECOM’s Environment business (one of the leading environmental consultancies in the UK and Ireland) which delivers environmental management services for feasibility, impact analysis and operational compliance as well as remediation, restoration and re-use of impacted property.More than160 professional ecologists support AECOM’s goal to deliver a better world through effective management of the biodiversity that underpins natural capital. 

We work across terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments in a wide range of sectors: power; utilities; development; government; manufacturing; oil and gas; 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 field surveys including preliminary ecological appraisal, Phase 1 habitat surveys, other botanical surveys, ecological impact assessment 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 a number of 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 engae with an online curriculum via AECOM University and have the opportunity to 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).

See our digital early careers e-brochure here

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements :

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 ScienceKeen interest and understanding of UK wildlife UK plant and animal (indirect and direct field signs) identification skillsExcellent field skillsPrevious exposure to protected species surveysAbility to record data efficiently and methodicallyStrong Microsoft Office skills including Microsoft Word and ExcelStrong numeracyAbility to communicate effectively to internal and external clients, both verbally & in writing with the confidence to engage with a variety of people (clients, colleagues, stakeholders and sub-contractors alike) and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss technical issues and capture feedbackStrong organisational skills and attention to detail.  Ability to structure & prioritise work effectively through close cooperation with the team as a wholeSelf-motivation, enthusiasm, hard working, with ambition and driveExcellent research and report writing skills.Ability to work as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues, client and stakeholders as appropriate as well as independently without losing initiative & focus.Ability to work flexibly under pressure, responding to changing project and programme demands.Commitment to continued education and improvement through our approved training schemes Willing and able to visit other locations on company businessA full driving licence would be beneficial as the role will involve travel for site surveys  with equipment and limited public transport accessPrevious 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.Good knowledge of all UK environmental law and an understanding of the relevant planning systems

Preferred Qualifications :

•    Protected species licence, such as bats, great crested newts, hazel dormouse etc
•    Postgraduate qualification in relevant subject
•    Proven experience of Phase 1 habitat, NVC and botanical surveys
•    Membership of or working towards full membership of appropriate professional institution
•    Evidence of published work in ecology field

Additional Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible since CVs will be reviewed, and candidates selected for an advanced offer start.    

Please include a covering letter with your application and provide all predicted and/or obtained academic grades.

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

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. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

 

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.