At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead aquatic ecology initiatives and support sustainable water resource management.
- Company: Join Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector focused on environmental protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive culture, career growth opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Diversity is our strength; we celebrate uniqueness and foster an inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team dedicated to creating a greener future and enhancing aquatic ecosystems.
- Qualifications: Degree in Ecology or related field and experience in aquatic ecological monitoring.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. At Pennon Group, we're proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we're leading the way in water and renewables. We're proud to be recognised as a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Role Purpose
The Aquatic Ecologist provides specialist ecological expertise to support water resource planning, operations, environmental compliance, and regulatory programmes across the company's operating regions. The role plays a critical part in ensuring water resource activities are managed sustainably while protecting and enhancing aquatic ecosystems. The postholder will lead aquatic ecology initiatives associated with statutory environmental programmes, including Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), Water Resource Management Plans (WRMP), Drought Plans, abstraction licences, permits, and operational compliance activities. They will collect, analyse, interpret and report ecological data to assess environmental impacts and support informed decision-making. The role is the technical lead for freshwater ecology, with particular responsibility for macroinvertebrate and macrophyte monitoring, assessment and reporting. It also requires integration of hydrological, habitat and water chemistry information to provide a comprehensive understanding of catchment and ecosystem health.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership
- Act as the technical lead for aquatic ecology matters relating to water resources management.
- Provide expert ecological advice to support statutory environmental programmes and regulatory requirements.
- Deliver specialist ecological input into strategic water resource planning and operational activities.
- Promote best practice in ecological assessment, monitoring and environmental stewardship.
- Monitoring & Assessment
- Design, implement and manage aquatic ecological monitoring programmes.
- Lead ecological surveys and assessments associated with abstraction licences, drought permits and environmental investigations.
- Analyse and interpret ecological data, including macroinvertebrate, macrophyte, habitat and water quality information.
- Assess ecological condition and identify environmental risks, trends and mitigation opportunities.
- Reporting & Analysis
- Produce technical reports, environmental assessments and management recommendations for a range of audiences.
- Support hydro-ecological modelling projects through the provision of specialist ecological expertise.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations to support environmental decision making and regulatory submissions.
- Contribute to building a comprehensive understanding of catchment health across operational regions.
- Compliance & Governance
- Support compliance with environmental legislation, licences and permits.
- Review, challenge and agree monitoring requirements associated with water resource activities.
- Ensure ecological assessments align with regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Minimum five years' experience in aquatic or freshwater ecology.
- Extensive experience of aquatic ecological monitoring and assessment.
- Experience of designing and delivering environmental monitoring programmes.
- Experience managing, analysing and reporting ecological data.
- Experience producing technical reports and presenting findings to varied audiences.
Technical Knowledge
- Detailed knowledge of macroinvertebrate and macrophyte assessment methods including RICT, WHPT, LIFE, PSI and CCI.
- Understanding of aquatic habitat assessment methodologies including RHS, RCA and MoRPh.
- Knowledge of Water Framework Directive, Habitats Directive and wider environmental legislation.
- Understanding of water resources management and hydro-ecological interactions.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Freshwater Biology or a related discipline.
- Certification or accreditation in freshwater macroinvertebrate species-level analysis.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable
- Chartered Ecologist status or working towards chartership with CIEEM or a similar professional body.
- Advanced expertise in a range of aquatic ecological monitoring and survey techniques.
Closing Date: 29th July 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Locations
Aquatic Ecologist in Bath, Somerset employer: Pennon Group
At Pennon Group, we offer a dynamic work environment where our In-House Legal Counsel can thrive while making a meaningful impact on communities and the environment. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our supportive culture and opportunities for professional development, all set against the backdrop of our leadership in the UK water sector. Join us in driving purpose and innovation as we work towards a sustainable future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aquatic Ecologist in Bath, Somerset
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Pennon Group.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Pennon Group and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Aquatic Ecologist in Bath, Somerset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Pennon Group.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Pennon Group will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Aquatic Ecologist at Pennon Group. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pennon Group
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Pennon Group, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Pennon Group that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
