Senior Hydroecologist

Overview

Create places and spaces that matter. Do you have the drive, skills and career potential to work with us as an experienced hydro ecologist, influencing environmental outcomes for our freshwater systems at the project level and beyond? We are seeking to further expand our team of aquatic ecologists within Atkins

Réalis' Water Management Consultancy. If you are looking to join an established team focused on the delivery of interesting and significant projects, framed by a strong culture of wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity, this is the place for you.

Our consultancy covers services such as aquatic ecology, hydro morphology, flood and coastal erosion risk management, integrated catchment management, regulation and assurance, strategic asset management, water resources and water quality planning, hydrogeology and hydrology, climate futures and resilience, coastal and marine environmental management, natural capital assessment and economic appraisal.

As a hydro ecologist you will deliver river and wetland hydro‑ecological investigations and support the restoration and enhancement of our aquatic systems, seeing your work produce tangible improvements within river catchments throughout the UK and overseas. The dynamic and influential relationship between our aquatic ecology team, water‑resource specialists and engineering design and planning colleagues provides exceptional opportunities for career development.

• Support water resource investigations through the delivery of hydro‑ecological assessments.
• Develop the application of habitat and biological response models to hydro‑ecological investigation for key water‑company and regulatory clients.
• Support the development and application of emerging approaches to hydro‑ecological modelling and support the technical development of staff within our aquatic ecology team.
• Undertake technical reporting and consultations for a wide range of projects, coordinating inputs from colleagues.
• Support the delivery of a wide range of other environmental assessments (preliminary ecological appraisals, ecological impact assessment, Water Framework Directive compliance reporting and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments) on nationally important infrastructure projects throughout the UK, in collaboration with other specialists and multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Provide support to the national aquatic ecology team and wider business as we continue to grow our hydro‑ecological assessment capability.
• Support the team with winning work from internal and external clients.

• Experience of undertaking a range of hydro‑ecological and environmental assessments focused on freshwater aquatic habitats and species, with knowledge of programme, resource and financial management.
• Degree in a relevant discipline is essential and a post‑graduate qualification desirable (foremost focus on hydro‑ecology or water‑catchment management); consultancy experience is required. Chartership with a relevant professional body is typically a prerequisite at this level.
• In exceptional circumstances, if not already Chartered, the right candidate would be willing to work towards securing chartership in the short term, with support and mentorship from Chartered colleagues.
• Demonstrated experience of delivering hydro‑ecological assessments for the water‑resource / water‑management sectors and proven ability to undertake a thorough technical investigation, presenting well‑structured, concise, evidence‑based findings (verbal or written).
• Highly numerate, literate and familiar with IT and software appropriate to the tasks undertaken, especially when using and developing new models.
• Experience working on large infrastructure projects as part of a multidisciplinary team and experience of specifying, undertaking and managing the delivery of river and wetland habitat / aquatic ecological walk‑over and species surveys;
  MoRPh survey accreditation is desirable.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic, proactive and focused on achieving and delivering technical excellence.
• Skilled at collaborative working, with strong interpersonal skills, great communication and ability to generate innovative outcomes for challenges and…