Senior Specialist Scientist (Water Resources)

We are recruiting for a full time Senior Specialist Scientist – Water Resources Hydrology on a permanent basis. We are looking for someone to be based in either Edinburgh, Motherwell or Dingwall.

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 Senior Specialist Scientist, 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 Senior Specialist Scientist 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 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.
• Leading and providing expert technical evidence and advice for licence reviews, with a particular focus on delivering Scotland’s river basin management planning improvement objectives.
• Providing expert technical evidence, advice and guidance to internal and external customers on complex and occasionally contentious water resources issues.
• Providing expert technical input into SEPA’s operational water scarcity incident response service, delivering the weekly water scarcity report and associated communications and enquiries.
• Outside the summer season, input into 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 lead surface water resources development projects, which may include developing our mapping and modelling approach, facilitating research projects and in-depth evidence analysis to inform future policy and regulations.

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.
• A comprehensive understanding of water resources processes, modelling and climate change impacts, and knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements within a Scottish context.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of undertaking hydrological impact and risk assessments, ideally for water resources licensing and minimising the impacts of abstraction.
• A demonstrable ability to effectively deliver projects, including proactive thinking, a solution-focused mentality, strong collaborative skills, the ability to influence and resolve conflict, and effective project management and organisational capability.
• Excellent people and communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex hydrological concepts into clear, accessible messages for non-technical stakeholders and the public, and experience of mentoring and developing staff.
• Full UK driving licence.

Support that goes beyond the workplace:

• 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. The shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis. Applicants are encouraged to include all relevant information when applying. We support flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy work–life balance. This includes part‑time, reduced hours, job sharing, and remote working. As a flexible‑first employer we are open to having conversations about flexible working arrangements that work for you and SEPA from day one of your employment. 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. Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape. Successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre‑employment checks including a Level 1 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.