At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hydrological assessments and support water resource management for a greener future.
- Company: Join Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector committed to environmental protection.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture where your uniqueness is celebrated.
- Why this job: Shape your career while contributing to sustainable water solutions and environmental compliance.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience in hydrological assessments required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ 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.
Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Role Purpose
The Hydrologist is responsible for providing specialist hydrological expertise to support water resource management, environmental compliance, and strategic planning activities across the organisation's operating regions. The role leads hydrological assessments and investigations that underpin key statutory programmes, including the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), Water Resource Management Plans (WRMP), and Drought Plans.
Acting as the organisation's expert client for hydrology, the postholder will analyse, interpret and communicate hydrological data and modelling outputs to assess environmental impacts, support water resource decision-making, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations and licence requirements. The role supports operations across Bournemouth Water, Bristol Water, South West Water (including the Isles of Scilly), and SES Water.
Key Responsibilities
- Hydrological Leadership & Expertise
- Provide technical hydrological leadership and advice for key statutory programmes including WINEP, WRMP and Drought Plan development.
- Act as the subject matter expert for hydrology and hydrometry across water resources activities.
- Support environmental and water resource planning decisions through robust hydrological analysis and interpretation.
- Ensure compliance with environmental legislation, abstraction licences, permits and industry best practice.
- Hydrological Assessment & Analysis
- Undertake hydrological assessments associated with new and varied abstraction licence applications.
- Analyse the impacts of licence conditions, hands-off flows and abstraction regimes on water availability and environmental outcomes.
- Support drought permit applications and strategic drought planning activities.
- Deliver naturalised and de-naturalised flow assessments to support hydro-ecological modelling and environmental investigations.
- Undertake flow assessments to support fisheries and ecological studies.
- Support operational abstraction compliance monitoring and reporting.
- Data Management & Modelling
- Manage, maintain and improve naturalised flow models and associated analytical tools.
- Analyse and interpret hydrometric and environmental datasets to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
- Apply rainfall-runoff methodologies and hydrological modelling tools to support water resource assessments.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations to support operational and strategic decision-making.
- Hydrometry & Monitoring
- Support the design and delivery of hydrometric monitoring programmes and solutions.
- Review and develop stage-discharge rating curves where required.
- Assess flow measurement techniques, hydrological monitoring systems and data quality standards.
- Ensure monitoring activities provide robust evidence for regulatory and operational purposes.
- Stakeholder & Consultancy Management
- Build effective working relationships with regulators, including Environment Agency hydrology teams.
- Discuss modelling methodologies, hydrological assessments and monitoring approaches with external stakeholders.
- Specify, manage and review work undertaken by external hydrological consultants.
- Prepare scopes of work and evaluate consultant proposals and tenders.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge & Experience
- Strong understanding of catchment hydrology and water resources management.
- Experience undertaking hydrological assessments, analysis and technical reviews.
- Experience analysing and interpreting hydrometric datasets.
- Ability to produce high-quality technical reports and present complex information clearly.
- Experience supporting low flow studies, drought assessments and water resource investigations.
Technical Skills
- Hydrological assessment and catchment analysis.
- Hydrometric monitoring and flow measurement.
- Stage-discharge rating curve development and review.
- Rainfall-runoff modelling and hydrological forecasting.
- Technical report writing and stakeholder communication.
- Data analysis and interpretation.
- Project management and prioritisation.
- Analytical problem solving.
Desirable Experience
- Use of hydrological modelling packages such as GR6J and Qube.
- Programming and analytical tool development using R or Python.
- Experience with GIS software and spatial analysis.
- Knowledge of groundwater-dominated catchments and regional hydrological characteristics.
- Experience working within the water industry environment.
- Hydrometric knowledge, including flow measurement techniques and monitoring infrastructure.
Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography or another relevant analytical discipline.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable
- Master's Degree in a relevant subject.
- Minimum five years' experience delivering hydrological studies and catchment assessments.
- Professional membership of CIWEM or equivalent professional body.
- Chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
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
Hydrologist 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 Hydrologist 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 Hydrologist 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 Hydrologist 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.
