Senior Environmental Scientist in Birmingham

We’re excited to welcome a new Senior Environmental Scientist at our West Midlands location. Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Working Hours & Location

This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern and will be home-based, with the allocation of a nearby Hub in the West Midlands for collaborative working. You will attend site visits across the West Midlands region.

Role Overview

The Senior Environmental Scientist will provide the Trust with technical expertise in Environmental Science, with particular responsibility for a defined geographical area and/or for particular topics at a regional/national level. Working proactively, they will support and develop the Trust’s protection, improvement and promotion of the natural environment of the waterways and provide professional environmental science services to help achieve a wide range of corporate objectives. They will deputise for the Environment Manager (EM) in their absence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical advice on environmental science as requested.
• Within region, lead on the development and implementation of relevant Asset Management Strategies (including dredging and other environmental assets) to protect, maintain, and where appropriate, enhance condition of the assets and their performance for the customer.
• Implement relevant inspection/monitoring and maintenance programmes for environmental/soft estate assets within their geographical remit, (re-)prioritising work to suit available resources and within delegated authority levels.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of an environmental management system (EMS; including associated processes & standards), including environmental audit and compliance monitoring and managing the process of investigation of non-compliances, especially with responsibility for monitoring application within their geographical remit; to maintenance of appropriate levels of environmental training & competency (including certification) in their local area.
• Work with national colleagues to ensure consistency of document management, management of files and data, including correspondence and compliance with GDPR.
• Lead on Volunteer Action Plan and its implementation. Co-ordinate volunteer activity for their discipline.
• In collaboration with Environment Manager (EM) and other Senior specialists, lead on implementing corporate targets on raising public awareness of and support for the Trust especially through interest in our environmental assets, vegetation management & dredging.
• In collaboration with EM and Senior specialists, lead on external engagement and fundraising locally to secure additional resources for the Trust, especially through interest in our environmental assets and dredging.
• Work with national colleagues on training material for Trust colleagues and volunteers, FAQs for customer enquiries etc.
• Contribute as appropriate to the development and implementation of the Trust’s Asset Management Strategies especially in respect of the Trust’s environmental assets and dredging to achieve customer service requirements & positive management of the natural environment efficiently and effectively.
• In cooperation with EM and other Senior specialists, take a lead on regional programmes of engagement with customers, volunteers, stakeholders and the general public to promote the value of waterways and the work of the Trust to increase the Trust’s reputation and influence and secure additional resources for our work, focusing on our key environmental priorities.
• Co-ordination and contribution to national Communities of Practice.
• Lead on, in consultation with EM, induction and mentoring of new and junior members of the Environment Team and management of in-team placement volunteers.
• Lead on areas of work of regional Environment Team as instructed by EM, displaying the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust’s policies and values.
• Working with other Seniors, deputise for EM when they are absent.

Skills & Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in relevant discipline.
• Chartered professional, e.g. C.Env and Full member of relevant professional institution, e.g. CIEEM, CIWEM, CIWM, IEMA, etc.
• Proven post qualification (chartered or equivalent) experience in application of specialist knowledge within a business environment. Maintain relevant CDP.
• Able to review conflicting (and cross-functional) risks to establish and communicate appropriate options priorities or make sound judgements within delegated levels of responsibility.
• Exercise a strategic response to issues.
• Able to negotiate effectively with internal and external contacts to achieve desired outcomes for the Trust.
• Able to support other areas of the Trust’s business in an appropriate manner.