Senior Hydroecologist

Overview

Our Water Management Consultancy delivers hydro-ecological assessments and supports the restoration and enhancement of aquatic systems. The team collaborates with water resource specialists, engineering design and planning colleagues to deliver projects that improve freshwater environments. We seek an experienced hydroecologist to influence environmental outcomes at the project level and beyond, contributing to a growing capability across the business.

Responsibilities

• 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 our key water company and regulatory clients.
• Support the development and application of emerging approaches to hydro-ecological modelling and 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 (e.g., 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 AtkinsRéalis 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.
• As a hydroecologist, deliver river and wetland hydro-ecological investigations and support restoration and enhancement of aquatic systems across the UK and overseas.

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant discipline is essential; a post-graduate qualification (with focus on hydro-ecology/water-catchment management) is desirable, with consultancy experience. Chartership with a relevant professional body is typically a prerequisite to appointment at this level.
• In exceptional circumstances and 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 within AtkinsRéalis.
• Experience delivering hydroecological assessments for the water resource/water management sectors with ability to present thorough technical investigations and concise evidence-based findings (verbal or written).
• Numerate, literate and proficient with IT and software appropriate to hydroecology tasks; experience with statistical modelling and processing/analyzing ecological monitoring and river flow data is desirable.
• Experience on large infrastructure projects as part of a multidisciplinary team and experience specifying, undertaking and managing river and wetland habitat/aquatic ecological surveys. MoRPh survey accreditation is desirable.
• Strong motivation, enthusiasm, initiative and a focus on technical excellence, with strong collaborative and communication skills.

Experience & Skills

• Collaborative working, good interpersonal skills and the ability to generate innovative solutions and drive them through to delivery.
• Flexible, adaptable and prepared to take on new challenges.
• Strong portfolio in hydro-ecological investigation and the ability to interface with other technical specialists.

Company, Team & Benefits

Our Water Management Consultancy operates at the interface between people and the water environment. We cover aquatic ecology, hydro morphology, river restoration, 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.

AtkinsRéalis offers flexible working arrangements and a supportive culture focused on wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity. Roles may be based in Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Epsom, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Oxford or Peterborough offices, with opportunities for homeworking where appropriate.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and support networks for local schools, charities, veterans and women in engineering, among others. AtkinsRéalis is a global design, engineering and project management consultancy with a broad portfolio of high-profile projects and opportunities to work across the UK and internationally.