Senior Catchment Scientist​/Hydrogeologist

Overview

Nicholas O’Dwyer is seeking an experienced Senior Catchment Scientist / Hydrogeologist to support the delivery of the Drinking Water Safety Plan (DWSP) programme, in line with the requirements of the new Drinking Water Regulations. The role will focus on the development of high-level Catchment Action Plans for approximately 700 Water Treatment Plant catchments, encompassing both surface water and groundwater sources. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with internal technical teams and external stakeholders to identify risks, define mitigation measures, and track actions through the DWSP system.

This is a senior, technically focused role requiring strong catchment science expertise, excellent analytical and reporting skills, and proven experience working within regulated drinking water environments.

• Lead the preparation of high-level Catchment Action Plans for drinking water sources as part of the DWSP programme.
• Undertake desktop catchment characterisation, including review of source risk assessment outputs and available water quality data.
• Analyse and interpret water quality monitoring datasets to identify key pressures, hazards, and trends affecting drinking water sources.
• Identify, prioritise, and plan risk mitigation measures, including defining responsibilities, sequencing, and realistic implementation timelines.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including asset owners, regulators, and catchment partners, to support delivery of agreed actions.
• Track and update mitigation measures within the DWSP database, ensuring accuracy and consistency of records.
• Provide technical oversight and review of catchment and hydrogeological inputs prepared by other team members.
• Support programme and project management activities, including progress tracking, reporting, and coordination across multiple catchments.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, summaries, and presentations suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of catchment risk management approaches within the DWSP framework.

• Degree in Catchment Science, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant professional experience in catchment management, hydrogeology, or drinking water protection.
• Demonstrated experience in:
• Catchment management planning
• Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSPs)
• Water quality monitoring data analysis
• Stakeholder engagement in regulated environments
• Project or programme delivery
• Proven ability to undertake technical reviews and provide leadership or oversight to project teams.
• Strong report writing, data interpretation, and presentation skills.

• Catchment risk assessment methodologies.
• Groundwater and catchment hydrogeological assessments.
• Experience using GIS to support catchment analysis and reporting.
• Familiarity with Irish or EU drinking water regulatory frameworks.

Our mission is to deliver sustainable solutions that transform communities and bring about lasting positive change. Through a blend of expertise, innovation and global dedication, we envision a world where sustainable engineering protects growing communities. Nicholas O’Dwyer provides professional services in engineering design, project management, environment and planning, construction supervision and technical and contract advisory. We are one of the most respected Irish consultancies operating in local and international markets, providing professional services to public- and private-sector clients.

Whether in Ireland, the UK or internationally, we understand and solve major challenges associated with delivering and adapting infrastructure for an increasing global population while maintaining a sustainable environment for future generations. Nicholas O’Dwyer is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together…