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 committed to a greener future.
- 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 that protects ecosystems while shaping your own career path.
- Qualifications: Degree in Ecology or related field and five years' experience in aquatic ecology.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Pennon Group, we're proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, we are leading the way in water and renewables. Our goals include lowering our carbon footprint, planting 300,000 trees, restoring peatlands, and supporting 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.
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.
- Understanding of aquatic habitat assessment methodologies.
- Knowledge of Water Framework Directive, Habitats Directive and wider environmental legislation.
- Understanding of water resources management and hydro-ecological interactions.
Qualifications
- 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 You - We want you to bring your best every day.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Aquatic Ecologist in London 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.
