Environment Advisor - Kiln Lane and ATNC

The core mission is to ensure that construction activities at Kiln Lane and ATNC comply with environmental legislation, company policies, and the project's CEMP. This involves conducting regular audits and inspections, both in the site office and out in the field, to identify risks and verify that mitigation measures are working. You'll also be responsible for hands-on monitoring tasks such as water sampling, ground investigations, and setting up noise and vibration equipment. A significant part of the role is engaging with project managers, contractors, and regulators to address environmental issues collaboratively. You'll provide advice and training to site staff, helping to embed best practices into daily operations. Another key responsibility is preparing and submitting environmental reports and documentation, ensuring that records are accurate and up to date for internal and external stakeholders. Over the longer term, you'll support the continuous improvement of environmental management systems, contributing to sustainability initiatives and helping the project meet its environmental objectives over its decade-long lifespan. The role is both reactive, responding to incidents, and proactive, anticipating risks and driving positive environmental outcomes.

You'll gain deep hands-on experience in environmental monitoring techniques, from water and soil sampling to noise and vibration assessment, all within a major infrastructure context. Working on a project of this scale will build your expertise in implementing ISO 14001 and CEMP requirements, skills that are highly transferable across the construction and energy sectors. Exposure to the full lifecycle of a power infrastructure project, from enabling works to substation construction, will broaden your understanding of environmental management in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You'll also develop strong regulatory knowledge, learning how to interpret and apply environmental legislation in practice. Laing O'Rourke is likely to offer formal training and mentorship, possibly including support for professional certifications like IEMA or similar. The collaborative nature of the role means you'll learn from experienced advisors and project managers, improving your communication and influencing skills. Over time, you could take on more responsibility, potentially leading on specific environmental workstreams.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience as an Environmental Advisor or similar role, ideally within construction, energy, or large-scale infrastructure. A solid understanding of environmental legislation and standards is essential, as is familiarity with ISO 14001 and CEMP implementation. You should be comfortable with field-based monitoring tasks (such as water sampling, ground investigations, and noise/vibration monitoring) and able to present findings clearly. Strong communication skills are critical, as you'll be working with multi-disciplinary teams and influencing site personnel. A relevant degree in environmental science, sustainability, or a related field is expected. A valid driver's license and willingness to travel between sites are also required. Soft skills matter too: you'll need to be proactive, adaptable, and able to build relationships at all levels. Experience in a client-facing or regulatory liaison role could be advantageous. While not explicitly required, membership of a professional body like IEMA would strengthen your application.

To stand out, tailor your application to show you understand the specific environmental challenges of large-scale power infrastructure. Highlight any experience with substations, overhead lines, or similar projects, and be explicit about your hands-on monitoring skills, mention specific techniques like water sampling, noise monitoring, or ground investigations. Quantify your impact where possible, such as audits completed or compliance improvements achieved. Demonstrate familiarity with ISO 14001 and CEMP processes, and if you have experience liaising with regulators like the Environment Agency, bring that to the fore. Laing O'Rourke values safety, sustainability, and collaboration, so weave those themes into your cover letter, showing how you've worked with contractors to embed environmental best practices. In interviews, prepare to discuss how you'd handle competing priorities on a busy construction site. Be ready with examples of times you've influenced without authority or resolved environmental incidents. Research the Great Grid Upgrade and National Grid's net-zero ambitions, showing you grasp the bigger picture will set you apart. Finally, if you have a disability or long-term condition, consider opting into the Offer an Interview scheme if you meet the essential criteria.

This role is squarely focused on environmental compliance and risk management within a live construction environment. You'll be supporting the implementation of the project's Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and ensuring alignment with ISO 14001, which means your work will directly influence how environmental impacts are controlled during the build of new substations and overhead line foundations. Beyond compliance, there's a clear sustainability angle: the Great Grid Upgrade is central to the UK's transition to renewable energy, so the environmental performance of these sites has strategic importance. You might contribute to initiatives around biodiversity protection, waste reduction, or pollution prevention, all of which are critical in sensitive rural environments like those in Suffolk and Norfolk. While the role is not primarily about carbon accounting or ESG reporting, your monitoring and audit work will feed into the project's broader environmental performance data. The focus is on practical, on-the-ground environmental stewardship rather than corporate-level sustainability strategy.

One major challenge is balancing the demands of a fast-moving construction schedule with environmental compliance. Site teams may be under pressure to progress work, and you'll need to assertively but constructively ensure that environmental controls are not bypassed. This requires strong influencing skills and the confidence to speak up when risks arise. Another challenge is the sheer scale and complexity of the Great Grid Upgrade. With two major sites and a decade-long timeline, you'll need to manage multiple priorities, travel between locations, and adapt to changing conditions. The rural settings may also present logistical hurdles, such as accessing remote areas for monitoring. Regulatory scrutiny is likely to be intense given the project's profile. Keeping up with evolving environmental legislation and ensuring that the project remains compliant will demand diligence and up-to-date knowledge. Finally, you may face the challenge of engaging contractors who are not environmental specialists, requiring you to translate technical requirements into practical, actionable guidance.

A typical day might start in the site office, reviewing the day's construction activities against the project's environmental management plan and flagging any areas needing attention. You could then head out to the field to conduct water sampling, check noise and vibration monitoring equipment, or carry out a site inspection, often coordinating with contractors on the ground to address issues as they arise. The afternoon might involve writing up audit findings, preparing compliance reports, or delivering a toolbox talk to site personnel on spill prevention or waste segregation. You'll likely have regular check-ins with project managers and the wider environment team to align on priorities and escalating risks. The role involves travel between Kiln Lane near Friston and the ATNC project stretching from Norwich to Tilbury, so no two days are identical. Weather, construction progress, and regulatory deadlines will all shape how you split your time between office, field, and meetings with external stakeholders like the Environment Agency or National Grid representatives.

Laing O'Rourke emphasises professional development, and this role sits within a growing environment team on a decade-long project, so there's potential for progression into senior advisor or environmental management positions. You could take on more complex projects, lead audits, or specialise in areas like biodiversity or carbon management. The high-profile nature of the Great Grid Upgrade means your work will be visible, both internally and externally, which could open doors to roles on other major projects across Laing O'Rourke's UK and international portfolio. Lateral moves into sustainability strategy, ESG reporting, or compliance functions are also possible. Beyond formal progression, you'll have opportunities to develop expertise in emerging areas such as renewable energy infrastructure and environmental innovation. Mentorship from senior colleagues and access to training will support your growth, and success in this role could position you as a go-to expert for environmental compliance in the power sector.

You'll interact daily with the project's environment team, including senior advisors and managers, to coordinate monitoring schedules and share findings. Project managers and construction leads will be key partners, as you'll need to influence their planning and ensure environmental considerations are integrated into site activities. Contractors and subcontractors will also be central to your work, as you'll advise them on compliance and best practices. Externally, you may engage with regulatory bodies such as the Environment Agency or local authorities during inspections or permitting processes. National Grid representatives could also be involved, given the strategic importance of the Great Grid Upgrade. Additionally, you might liaise with environmental consultants or specialists conducting surveys or providing technical expertise. The nature of these interactions varies: some are collaborative and advisory, while others, like audits or incident investigations, require firmness and clear communication. Your ability to build trust and communicate effectively across disciplines will be essential.