DIO Ecology Graduate Scheme

Technical Services provides in-house expertise to DIO and the wider MOD; the specialist skills available through the Technical Services team span natural capital, environmental planning, sustainable development, climate resilience, forestry, access & recreation, archaeology and historic buildings, as well as ecology.

The Ecology Team provides advice and guidance to all branches of the MOD on ecology and biodiversity conservation matters across the UK and overseas estate. It directly supports military training and other defence outputs by managing and delivering ecological assessments for military exercises, estate management activities and new infrastructure development.

The team leads the MOD SSSI Condition Improvement Project and is responsible for managing over 80,000 ha of SSSI towards favourable condition and delivering the MODs biodiversity objectives across the whole of the estate. We also support the development of Integrated Rural Management Plans (IRMPs) at our largest and most important sites for wildlife. As part of the Greening Government Commitments, we are shaping the MOD nature strategy and will be a driving force in delivering the departments nature recovery plan.

As an Graduate Ecologist in DIO, you will undertake a three-year pathway to move from Qualifying Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM) to Associate Membership. You will gain experience in a wide range of projects, ecological assessment techniques and conservation management activities. After three years you will have developed the knowledge and experience to carry out standard tasks unsupervised confidently and consistently, but you will need to seek advice before carrying out complex or non-standard tasks.