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- Tasks: Support ecological surveys and manage aquatic ecology risks on exciting projects.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in sustainable water management.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or marine discipline; teamwork and analytical skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal development and volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
Closing Date: 2025-12-01
Job Title: Graduate Aquatic Ecologist
Location: Falmer (Hybrid Working)
Salary: from ÂŁ35k
We are seeking a motivated Graduate Aquatic Ecologist to join our Enabling Team within ETS. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to ecological risk management across a diverse portfolio of design, maintenance, and construction projects. You will support ecological surveys, project delivery, and compliance activities, while helping to identify opportunities to enhance the natural environment.
Key Responsibilities
Safety & Environment
- Take responsibility for your own health and safety in line with industry standards and company policies
- Follow procedures to ensure safety, sustainability, and environmental compliance are upheld
Technical Delivery
- Support Project Ecologists in managing aquatic ecology risks for large-scale infrastructure and permitting projects
- Assist in the ecological risk management of small to medium-sized projects
- Conduct aquatic ecology surveys and assessments, including fieldwork and report writing
- Collect, analyse, and interpret ecological data to inform assessments
- Engage in continuous professional development under the guidance of your line manager
- Travel across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight will be required
- Fieldwork may involve early mornings and evening hours
Collaboration & Teamwork
- Work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary project teams
- Contribute ideas and support team members to improve project outcomes
Project Delivery
- Ensure work is delivered on time and to agreed standards
Customer Focus
- Adhere to procedures that ensure deliverables meet customer expectations and commitments
Qualifications & Experience
- Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant ecological or marine discipline
- Academic or professional experience in aquatic ecology
- Understanding of:
- Electric fishing surveys
- Aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling
- Macrophyte surveys
- UK environmental legislation, planning policy, and permitting regulations
Skills & Abilities
- Full UK driving licence
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel)
- Working knowledge of GIS software
- Strong report writing and data analysis skills
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- Ability to explain team roles and objectives clearly
- Analytical thinking to prioritise and resolve issues
- Willingness to learn from others and contribute to team improvements
- Effective listener and collaborator
- Commitment to personal development and performance improvement through measurable goals
Package
This role will be full time Monday to Friday 37 hours a week. Southern Water operate a hybrid approach to working between our offices/sites and home.
We are offering a salary from ÂŁ35k per annum depending on skills and experience, as well as other benefits including:
- Company and performance-related bonus
- Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
- 25 days annual leave
- Life assurance equal to 4x salary
- Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
- Health Cash Plan
- Full funded eye tests
- Two paid volunteering days a year
- Occupational health service
- Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
- Digital GP service
- Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
- Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
- Cycle to work scheme
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that “normal” office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.
Privacy Statement:
Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.
All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.
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Graduate Ecologist employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Ecologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the ecology field, attend relevant events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their work in aquatic ecology and think about how your skills can contribute. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to teamwork and project delivery. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your experiences effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to ecological risk management.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Ecologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Graduate Aquatic Ecologist role. Highlight any relevant projects or coursework that showcase your understanding of aquatic ecology and environmental legislation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about ecology and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: We love seeing strong report writing and data analysis skills! Include examples of your work that demonstrate these abilities, especially if they relate to ecological surveys or assessments. This will help us see how you can contribute to our projects.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details and can consider you for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Know Your Ecology Basics
Brush up on your knowledge of aquatic ecology, especially electric fishing surveys and macroinvertebrate sampling. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show your passion and understanding of the field.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Prepare examples of how you've worked in teams before. Highlight your ability to collaborate and support others, as teamwork is crucial in this role. Think of specific projects where you contributed ideas or helped improve outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss how you collect, analyse, and interpret ecological data. You might even want to bring a sample report or data analysis you've done in the past to showcase your skills in this area.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the company's approach to ecological risk management or their projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it's the right fit for you.
