Lead Specialist (Water Resources Hydrology)

We are recruiting for a full time Lead Specialist (Water Resources Hydrology) on a permanent basis. You will be based from either Edinburgh, Central Scotland (for access to Motherwell) or Dingwall. Interviews will take place w/c 1st June.

Your passion has never had a greater purpose. Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take – to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise. That’s why, when you join us as Lead Specialist (Water Resources Hydrology), you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful – for our environment, and for your career.

We are seeking an experienced surface water hydrologist for our Lead Specialist role in the Water Resources Unit, to provide the scientific leadership, authoritative evidence and clear advice that informs and drives effective, targeted action to protect and improve the environment, underpinning sustainable water resources management, water resilience and climate change adaptation across Scotland.

Tasks include:

• To provide technical leadership and expertise on surface water resources evidence and advice within SEPA and externally. This includes influencing strategic approaches to water resources regulation, water resources planning and climate adaptation, and associated evidence research and development.
• To oversee the evidence side of SEPA’s operational water scarcity incident response service, delivering the weekly water scarcity report and associated communications, enquiries and media engagement.
• Outside the summer season, drive the transformation of the water scarcity service, incorporating scientific, innovative and technological advances, to ensure SEPA’s service is efficient, up to date and fit for our changing climate.
• To oversee and support the team in the delivery of expert surface water evidence and advice across the organisation and to external partners, and lead on the most complex, high-risk and occasionally contentious cases.
• To oversee and provide technical direction for surface water resources projects, such as the development of modelling and mapping associated with water body classification and regulatory authorisations, and supporting the delivery of River Basin Management Plan regulatory actions.
• Work collaboratively with other Specialists in the team and across SEPA to integrate surface and groundwater resources evidence and advice, enabling holistic water resources management across catchments.

This is a highly important role within our Data, Evidence & Innovation portfolio, which means you’ll need:

• A degree in an appropriate scientific discipline or equivalent experience.
• Extensive hydrological experience and knowledge, including a comprehensive understanding of water resources processes, modelling and climate change impacts, and knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements within a Scottish context.
• Effective, demonstrable leadership skills, including strategic thinking, a clear solution‑focused mentality, strong collaborative skills, the ability to influence and resolve conflict, and effective project management and organisational capability.
• Strong people skills, including empathy, tact and sound judgement when mentoring, supporting staff and balancing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex concepts into clear, accessible messages for non‑technical stakeholders and the public.

We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
• Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
• Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Progressive Family Friendly policies
• Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.
• Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer. We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis. Please ensure that you include all relevant information when you apply. We support flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy balance between career and home life. This includes working part time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely. As a flexible first employer we are open to having conversations about flexible working arrangements that work for you and SEPA from day 1 of your employment with us. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and will work to identify and implement reasonable adjustments and equipment to support you in the role that you.

If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at recruitment@sepa.org.uk.

Apply now to join a Passionately Purposeful workplace.