Environmental Advisor

The primary focus involves maintaining and updating the company's Environmental Management System (EMS) in line with ISO standards and UK environmental legislation. You will support site managers and project delivery teams by reviewing site activities, interpreting regulatory requirements, and ensuring that project environmental management plans are applied on the ground. Core responsibilities include tracking statutory consents, planning permissions, and discharge permits for grid infrastructure sites. You will also organize and perform field inspections and formal audits, document findings, and follow up on corrective actions to prevent environmental pollution or non-compliance incidents. Additionally, the position requires delivering environmental awareness and training sessions for internal staff and subcontractors. You will track emerging European and UK legal updates, adjusting local procedures and reporting metrics to sustain continuous improvement across project operations.

Working within the Grid Technology division offers detailed exposure to large-scale transmission infrastructure and the environmental complexities of modern power networks. You will develop practical mastery of UK planning regimes, wildlife protection legislation, and waste handling protocols. Candidates can expect hands-on practice implementing and auditing ISO 14001 frameworks within heavy industrial and construction contexts. The role also provides clear support to secure or upgrade professional accreditations, particularly through IEMA membership pathways. Cross-functional coordination across engineering, procurement, and site execution teams offers strong operational perspective, helping an advisor learn how to translate corporate environmental governance into daily field routines.

The ideal candidate holds a university degree in environmental science, environmental management, or a related discipline, paired with a solid grasp of UK environmental statutes and regulatory bodies such as SEPA or the Environment Agency. Prior operational experience within construction, engineering, or civil infrastructure is essential. Familiarity with managing consents, performing site audits, and controlling typical site risks (such as sediment run-off, fuel storage, and protected species) will be critical. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are needed to influence site contractors and project managers. Holding Graduate IEMA membership, or demonstrating progress toward Practitioner level, signals the technical foundation expected for this post.

Highlight direct field experience on infrastructure or industrial sites, showing how you managed specific environmental risks like water quality, waste segregation, or ecological mitigation. Tangible examples carry far more weight than general statements about sustainability. Demonstrate your practical understanding of environmental management systems (such as ISO 14001) and UK consenting processes. Mentioning prior work with Scottish or UK regulators, as well as holding or pursuing professional status with IEMA, will strengthen your submission. In discussions, explain how you handle resistance from busy construction teams, emphasizing pragmatic problem-solving, compliance assurance, and clear verbal communication.

The position concentrates directly on operational environmental protection and compliance during the construction and refurbishment of grid transmission assets. Key priority areas include preventing soil and water contamination, minimizing carbon and resource use, and managing waste streams responsibly. Biodiversity preservation and ecological impact mitigation also represent major points of focus. Many grid infrastructure projects navigate sensitive rural or coastal ecosystems, requiring careful adherence to habitat regulations, planning conditions, and seasonal constraints. Beyond field controls, the role supports internal targets related to energy efficiency and resource management, ensuring that Siemens Energy's broader commitments to decarbonization are upheld throughout project delivery.

Balancing environmental compliance with strict construction schedules and budget constraints often creates friction. You may encounter contractors who view environmental procedures as administrative hurdles rather than operational priorities, requiring strong diplomatic skills. The geographic spread of project sites can involve frequent travel and adapting to distinct local environmental conditions, from urban brownfields to remote substations. Keeping abreast of fast-moving UK environmental policies across devolved administrations adds regulatory complexity. Maintaining reliable record-keeping and audit trails across high-tempo, multi-contractor job sites demands rigorous organization and relentless attention to detail.

A typical morning might begin by reviewing site inspection logs or updating a Project Environmental Management Plan ahead of a new construction phase. You might then meet with a Site Manager to discuss permit requirements or review contractor risk assessments for upcoming earthworks. Midday could involve traveling to a transmission site to conduct a walk-down audit, assessing fuel storage, silt fences, and waste segregation practices. You would discuss any immediate corrective actions with the site team on the spot. Later in the afternoon, you might track legislative changes affecting grid assets, draft an incident investigation report, or prepare materials for an upcoming contractor environmental briefing.

Success in this post can lead toward a Senior Environmental Advisor role or a dedicated EQS Management position within major capital projects or regional grid delivery teams. Given the international presence of Siemens Energy, the role provides pathways into broader corporate sustainability functions, environmental risk governance, or product lifecycle management across renewable energy systems. The technical grounding gained in managing regulatory compliance for high-voltage grid technology also equips professionals for specialized roles in environmental consenting, consenting strategy, or environmental audit leadership.

Internal collaboration centers on Site Managers, Project Delivery Directors, and construction teams who rely on you for guidance on regulatory obligations and environmental permits. You will also coordinate closely with the wider EQS (Environment, Quality, and Safety) team. External interactions will regularly include environmental regulators (such as SEPA or the Environment Agency), local planning authorities, and ecological consultants hired to carry out specialized surveys. You will also engage frequently with primary contractors, specialized subcontractors, and equipment suppliers to ensure that work performed on behalf of the company complies with statutory procedures and contract standards.