Senior/Principal Hydro-ecologist in Chester

Binnies is a leading environmental consultancy looking to grow our water and catchment capabilities to support teams in delivering water projects across the UK. We work across the UK, delivering high-impact projects in the water environment involving science, policy, and management, ensuring the long term health of aquatic ecosystems.

As a Hydro ecologist, you will play a pivotal role in undertaking hydro ecology investigations, supporting catchment based studies and restoration projects and shaping the strategic direction of our water and catchment services within the environmental services team. You will lead projects, providing senior level technical expertise, and drive innovation in hydro ecology in freshwater environments across our Environmental Services team. This role will also involve client engagement, supporting the team leader with business development, and mentoring of senior and junior staff.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading hydro ecological assessments for a range of clients and sectors.
• Developing or applying habitat and biological response models to hydro ecological investigations.
• Supporting the development of staff within our water and catchment team.
• Undertaking technical reporting and consultations for a wide range of projects, coordinating inputs from colleagues.
• Supporting the delivery of a wide range of other environmental assessments (e.g., preliminary ecological appraisals, ecological impact assessment, Water Framework Directive compliance reporting and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments) across a range of projects such as nationally important infrastructure projects and work for regulators and water companies.
• Supporting business development and bidding for work with internal and external clients.

About You:

• Experience of hydro ecology investigations, including as part of catchment studies.
• Experience in Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) studies.
• Experience working on low flow, Water Framework Directive or Catchment level investigations.
• Experience of designing or coordinating freshwater ecological monitoring programmes.
• Experience in managing and analysing environmental datasets.
• Chartered membership of a professional body.
• Full driving licence.

Other desired experience could include:

• Knowledge and understanding of the National Framework for Water Resources - Environmental Destination Investigation Framework (UKWIR, /WR/02/20) and the hydro ecological tools discussed therein.
• An understanding of Common Standards Monitoring Guidance for Freshwater Habitats (JNCC, 2016) and Freshwater Fauna.
• Knowledge of, or experience in, the development or use of bespoke flow targets for fish and macroinvertebrates.
• Knowledge and understanding of the main (NVC) freshwater wetland plant communities and their environmental dependencies.
• Appreciation of mechanisms of groundwater and surface water interaction with plant communities and habitats and its importance in maintaining their healthy status.

We develop intelligent solutions using our award winning integrated planning and design approach to deliver functional infrastructure and lasting environmental and social legacies. This is backed by a culture that has stayed true since our foundation over 100 years ago. We create new possibilities for humanity through our innovative approach to delivery. Together with our clients, we are always striving to find a smarter way to deliver projects. From providing low carbon, sustainable and resilient water solutions, flood alleviation and environment services, to connecting people with insights and data. Our business exists to improve the quality of life for our local communities today and for generations to come.

Binnies 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.

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.

Environment: We create sustainable critical infrastructure across the whole asset life cycle to meet the net zero challenge. We integrate sustainability into everything we do, utilising digital innovation to create value. We de risk projects through collaborative engagement and holistic thinking which builds inclusive wealth for our clients, stakeholders and communities.

Water: We are engaged in every aspect of the water industry, helping clients efficiently and effectively collect, store, move and treat water and wastewater; plan and manage watersheds; harness the energy embedded in the treatment and movement of water and enhance sustainability. We incorporate leading edge digital transformation to create more resilient and reliable solutions using data analytics to provide powerful insights.