Ecology Placement Industrial Placement Exeter- March 26 start

Our Ecology team are currently looking to take on a placement student within our Exeter office on a fixed term 6 months full time basis.  Ideally from March 26 until September 26 with some flexibility on either side of these months. 

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

About our Team 

Our Nature team is part of AECOMs Environment and Energy business (one of the leading environmental consultancies in the UK and Ireland) which delivers environmental management services for feasibility designing innovative nature-based solutions delivery and management of environmental impact assessment for planning  and environmental due diligence to mitigate environmental risks.

We work across terrestrial freshwater and marine environments in a wide range of sectors: energy water government manufacturing 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.

Heres what youll do: 

You will bring to this placement the research presentation and communication skills and knowledge which you are developing through your academic studies. We are offering you the opportunity to augment your studies with practical experience which kickstarts your career in environmental consultancy.

We need people with inquiring minds who can ask the questions to understand and then shape projects to achieve environmentally beneficial outcomes.  The ability to work with people with different perspectives is essential to understand what the project design means and how it matters to stakeholders.  Effective communication verbal and written to seek understanding is therefore important but we accept that it is a skill that develops over time.  We like people with an appetite to learn and develop taking personal responsibility but understanding how to confirm that we are getting to a good outcome.

Examples of work you may be asked to undertake to support projects include:

Working within a multi-disciplinary team on desk-based assessments and field surveys including preliminary ecological appraisal UKHab Survey biodiversity net gain data collection and assessments 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. 

Youll also need to be able to work with a range of taxonomic groups and youll be encouraged to pursue your own interests. 

Enjoy the Perks

Here is what you will get from us!

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.

On the job support and learning

During your time on placement we will pair you with another member of the team who will guide and mentor you on live projects and business development tasks supporting you with any technical queries. 

See our digital early careers e-brochure here

Qualifications :

Heres what we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements :

• Working towards a 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 Science Geography 
• Keen interest and understanding of UK wildlife 
• UK plant and animal (indirect and direct field signs) identification skills
• Good practical field skills
• Ability to record data efficiently and methodically
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Microsoft Word and Excel
• Strong numeracy
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally & in writing with the confidence to engage with a variety of people and the aptitude to rationally explain explore and discuss technical issues and capture feedback
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.  Ability to structure & prioritise work effectively through close cooperation with the team as a whole
• Self-motivation enthusiasm hard working with ambition and drive
• Strong report writing skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with colleagues
• Commitment to continued education and improvement through our approved training schemes 
• Willing and able to visit other locations on company business
• A full driving licence would be beneficial as the role will involve travel for site surveys  with equipment and limited public transport access

Preferred Qualifications :

              Previous 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.

We celebrate diversity including neurodiversity and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process please contact us at

At AECOM we value everyones unique contributions and perspectives. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us we would be delighted to hear from you!

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 the right to work in the UK.

About AECOM

AECOM is the worlds 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 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 youre 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 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 benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. Were the worlds trusted global infrastructure firm and were in this together your growth and success are ours too.

Join us and youll 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 persons potential and well help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address   if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

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

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Intern