Senior Specialist Scientist - Hydrogeologist

We are recruiting for a full time Senior Specialist Scientist – Hydrogeologist on a permanent basis. 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.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Specialist Hydrogeologist to provide the scientific leadership, authoritative evidence and clear advice that informs and drives effective, targeted action to protect and improve the environment, ensuring sustainable water resources management, water resilience and climate change adaptation across Scotland.

Tasks include:

• Developing conceptual models, based on interpretation of hydrogeological data including ground investigation, pumping tests, and monitoring.
• Groundwater risk and impact assessments for both groundwater resources and groundwater quality.
• Developing and using numerical groundwater modelling of groundwater flows and pollutant fate and transport.
• Provision of expert specialist evidence and advice on complex and often contentious groundwater issues to internal and external customers.
• Manage groundwater projects and provide associated technical direction, such as supporting the delivery of River Basin Management Plan regulatory actions, input into the development of our water scarcity incident management approach, and analysis and reporting of groundwater monitoring and classification.

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

• Degree in an appropriate scientific discipline or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience of undertaking impact and risk assessments for groundwater and groundwater dependent receptors ideally including quantitative groundwater flow modelling in support of groundwater resource management.
• Relevant experience of designing, managing and interpreting ground investigation, pumping tests and groundwater monitoring, including knowledge of relevant health, safety and environmental considerations.
• Effective project management skills, with experience of mentoring and developing staff.
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex hydrogeological concepts for non‑technical stakeholders and the public.
• Full UK driving licence as driving is essential to carry out the role.

Support that goes beyond the workplace. 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. Protecting our environment, promoting our work, and supporting our people, working at SEPA means being part of an organisation that’s grounded in respect for your expertise – and your wellbeing. So you can be your best, and make the biggest impact.

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 do. Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape. For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre‑employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotland check. If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at recruitment@sepa.org.uk.