Environmental & Sustainability Advisor (Rail Alliance)

Job role/title
Environmental & Sustainability Advisor

Department
SHESQ

Location
Site based

Job purpose & objectives

To support the site delivery teams.

Assisting the SHESQ department, implementing the Rail Alliance Environmental Management System.

Identifying areas of improvement within the Environmental Management System.

Promoting the importance of environmental compliance and consideration within the Rail Division, working specifically on the East Coast Mainline framework.

Key tasks & responsibilities

• Prepare Environmental Management Plans and site procedures and review and update on a regular basis.
• Identify environmental risks which may occur on site and assist in devising appropriate environmental controls for inclusion in Method Statements and to mitigate risk.
• Develop good working relationships; providing support and guidance to construction site management teams, enabling them to manage their site in line with current legislation and procedures.
• Engage with site operatives to provide support and guidance.
• Visit sites and undertake inspections and audits as required to ensure controls are in place and working.
• Identify event trends and discuss at project and site level.
• Monitor and review environmental legislative changes and the potential impact on the business.
• Support the delivery teams to maintain the highest standards on site.
• Work with Development Teams to ensure environmental risks and impacts are considered and addressed at an early stage of scheme development.
• Plan and deliver environmental training and toolbox talks to a range of employees across the Electricity Alliance North, producing additional training materials where required and ensuring all training records are up-to-date.
• Raise site awareness and coach the workforce on environmental issues, hazard and near miss reporting and environmental best practice.
• Provide advice and guidance to staff at all levels of the organisation on environmental management issues, policy and legislative compliance.
• Liaise with Statutory Authorities such as the Environment Agency and with clients on environmental issues where appropriate and prepare documentation where required.
• Provide assistance to sites regarding waste management.
• Conduct incident investigations and prepare detailed reports as required.
• Ensure all environmental records are kept and readily available.
• Provide up to date environmental information to the Site Manager as required.
• Highlight areas of risk and action.
• Play an active role in promoting Sustainable Construction and to help drive the sustainability performance.
• Undertake site walks/surveys with Wayleaves, Consent Officers and interested parties as required.
• Review sub-contractor risk assessments and method statements for complex, high risk tasks carried out at site.
• Any tasks as required by the SHESQ Manager to provide support to the site delivery teams.

Main interfaces

• Site staff including Operatives, Foreman & Site Managers
• Project Managers and Project Engineers
• All members of the SHESQ department
• Learning & Development team (in relation to training)
• Purchasing team (in relation to waste)
• Regulators
• External Third Party stakeholders
• Client representatives
• Partner Company SHESQ Team

Qualifications

Essential

• A degree in an environment related subject
• Knowledge of Environmental Management Systems and Environmental Law
• A full UK driving licence, preferably clean

Desirable

• Environmental Auditor qualification(s)
• A Masters in Environmental Management
• Membership of IEMA (AIEMA or MIEMA)
• Chartered Status (CEng)
PTS

Experience

Essential

• Solid, relevant experience of working in an environmental area

Desirable

• Site based experience within the construction industry
• Experience specifically within the Rail industry
• Advanced knowledge and experience of ecology and archaeology
Experience on Civils

Skills

Essential

• Excellent organisational skills
• Building positive working relationships
• Being able to work to deadlines
• Excellent communication skills
• Attention to detail
• High level of accuracy
• Be able to demonstrate initiative as role will involve working independently and require quick solutions to problems and issues which will arise on sites
• Proficient computer literacy
• Ability to produce concise and accurate reports to deadlines

Desirable

• A confident public speaker as the role will involve delivering training to all levels of staff.

Behaviours

Absolutely essential:
• A ‘can do’ and ‘will do’ attitude
• Full understanding of the nature of a support function

Essential:
• High level of self-motivation.
• Trust and diplomacy
• ‘Can do’ attitude and being motivated
• Adaptable approach
• Integrity
• Remaining calm under pressure
• Willingness to drive large distances regularly
• A positive attitude with enthusiasm for the Environment and to work within a support service team
• Must have a confident, approachable demeanour as the role involves building relationships with a variety of people
• Comfortable in a changeable and challenging work environment