Aquatic Consultants (All Levels) in London

RSK Biocensus, an award-winning CIEEM company and part of the RSK Group, is recruiting full-time Consultant, Senior and Principal level Aquatic Ecologists to join their growing UK ecology team on a permanent basis. This role is based across the UK and will be a hybrid role, with flexible homeworking (though ideally within commuting distance of an RSK office) and client site work. Ideal locations would include the Midlands and South of England.

As an Aquatic Ecologist at RSK Biocensus you can expect to get involved with the delivery of elements of field surveys, ecological/impact assessment, tender and report writing and project management. Our projects cover everything from small headland streams down to larger lowland rivers and estuaries and out into coastal waters. We also have projects involving small ponds, larger lakes and reservoirs. Project types range from large infrastructure projects requiring baseline surveys, monitoring and ECoW, to river and lake restoration and enhancement schemes. We also undertake a range of R&D projects both for clients and to provide training opportunities for our staff and develop new knowledge or survey approaches which can benefit our clients.

We are particularly interested in candidates with water quality and hydrology experience but also keen to hear from people with experience in aquatic habitat assessments and biota surveys (fish, macroinvertebrates, diatoms, macrophytes, protected species and invasive non-native species) or aquatic habitat improvements and restoration.

• Undertaking (assisting or leading depending on experience) aquatic field surveys and delivering high-quality data – this will require travel and staying away from home for some surveys.
• Technical reporting and tender writing commensurate with experience.
• Managing projects (under supervision for less experienced personnel); assisting senior colleagues in managing the projects that RSK Biocensus undertakes, including managing project finances, assisting in the production of deliverables in line with the client’s expectations, and ensuring deliverables are submitted on time and to a high quality.
• Developing your professional knowledge and skills; maintaining a personal CPD record and an up-to-date professional CV.
• Actively using the PDR process to set objectives for the year ahead that develop your skills and competencies in line with the team’s needs and your interests and aptitude.
• Acting at all times with professional integrity, and exercising sound professional judgment within (and recognising the limits of) your competence.
• Working in compliance with our SHEQ Management System.
• Building relationships with team members of other RSK departments, particularly those which have a close working relationship with RSK Biocensus.

Please note that this advert is for all grades from consultant (typically c.2-3 years minimum relevant experience) up to principal (typically c. 10+ years relevant experience). The qualifications and experience listed below is expected to vary significantly between grades accordingly. More senior/experienced candidates would be expected to take on more responsibility (commensurate with experience) and require less supervision and guidance.

• Degree in a relevant discipline (all grades).
• Relevant professional experience since graduation.
• Species specific personal licences (e.g. white-clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel) are desirable but certainly not essential.
• Membership with a relevant professional body such as CIWEM, IFM or CIEEM (and be, or be working towards, chartership for principal grades or above).
• Experience in at least some of the following survey/project types:

• Water quality sampling/monitoring.
• Macroinvertebrate sampling (e.g. kick sampling).
• Flow gauging/hydrology surveys.
• SOAF/CSO assessments.
• Macrophyte surveys.
• Electrofishing surveys.
• Seine netting surveys.
• Fish rescues and translocations.
• Aquatic habitat assessments.
• RHS/RCS/MoRPh.
• Impact assessments including WFDa, EcIA and HRA (particularly for more senior grades).

• Consultant/Aquatic Consultant = £28,000-£34,000.
• Senior/Senior Aquatic Consultant = £33,000-£46,000.
• Principal/Principal Aquatic Consultant = £42,000-£57,000.
• Company paid life assurance.
• Contributed pension scheme.
• Regular career training and development.
• Flexible working options.
• Access to multiple high profile ecologists considered leading experts/authorities in their respective fields.
• Award winning Employee Assistance Programme.
• Flexible benefits programme including the option to buy additional holidays, health cash plan and discounted gym membership.

RSK is an Inclusive Employer. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities.

About RSK Biocensus: Biocensus offers leading consultancy and contracting services in the ecological sector. Our interdisciplinary teams have operated on and contributed to dozens of specialised and multimillion-pound projects across the UK. Our refined service offering oversees a complete range of ecological services, including advising on purchasing land, undertaking surveys and environmental impact assessments and post-consent licensing and monitoring.

As a market-leading ecological consultancy, we rely on our expert and multi-disciplinary teams of more than 150 in-house staff, supported by a nationwide network of more than 700 quality-assured consultant ecologists. We have the scale and capabilities to progress large-scale projects and the range of expert skills for the most complex or sensitive programmes. We work with our clients to make their developments suitable for first-hand users and the surrounding wildlife. RSK Biocensus teams identify environmental risks and seek opportunities to enhance developments. We will not identify and highlight a problem without offering a corresponding solution.

RSK Biocensus is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to confidently explore and pursue our career opportunities and recognise that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office-based positions benefit from a flexible working arrangement, allowing our team members to achieve a balance between professional and personal commitments.

If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all.