Do you have the drive, skills and career potential to work with us as an experienced aquatic ecologist, influencing environmental outcomes for our freshwater systems at the project level and beyond? We are now seeking to expand our team of aquatic ecologists within Atkins’ Water Management Consultancy. So, if you are looking to join an established team focused on the delivery of interesting and significant projects, framed by a strong culture of wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity, this is the place for you.
Our Water Management Consultancy operates at the interface between people and the water environment. Our key services cover all aspects of water management including aquatic ecology, hydromorphology, river restoration, flood and coastal erosion risk management, integrated catchment management, regulation and assurance, strategic asset management, water resources and water quality planning, hydrogeology and hydrology, climate futures and resilience, coastal and marine environmental management, natural capital assessment and economic appraisal.
As an aquatic ecologist, focused on freshwater habitats and species, you can expect to deliver river and wetland environmental assessments and support the restoration and enhancement our aquatic systems and see your work produce tangible improvements within river catchments throughout the UK and overseas. The dynamic and influential relationship between our aquatic ecology team, water resource specialists and our engineering design and planning colleagues provide exceptional opportunities for you to develop your career.
Responsibilities
- Joining a well-established and successful team, you will be pivotal in delivering and managing freshwater focused ecological impact assessments for a diverse client and project portfolio. You will also:
- support in the delivery of a wide range of other environmental assessments (e.g., preliminary ecological appraisals, Water Framework Directive compliance reporting and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments) on nationally important infrastructure projects in collaboration with other Atkins’ specialists and multi-disciplinary teams;
- undertake technical reporting and consultations for a wide range of projects, co-ordinating inputs from colleagues;
- provide support to the national aquatic ecology team and wider business as we to grow our environmental assessment capability;
- support water resource investigations through the delivery of hydroecological assessments; and
- support the team with winning work from internal and external clients.
Requirements
Ideally someone with experience of undertaking a range of environmental assessments focused on freshwater aquatic habitats and species, with knowledge of programme, resource and financial management. A degree in a relevant discipline is essential and a post-graduate qualification desirable (with focus on Aquatic Ecology/Water-Catchment Management), with ideally 5 year’s consultancy experience. You will need to demonstrate experience of working on large infrastructure projects as part of a multidisciplinary team and have a proven ability to undertake a thorough technical investigation, that presents well-structured, concise evidence-based findings (verbal or written). The role requires someone highly numerate, literate and familiar with IT and software appropriate to the tasks undertaken (e.g. GIS, Excel, Publisher). Experience of specifying, undertaking and managing the delivery of river and wetland habitat / aquatic ecological walkover and species surveys is desirable, as is MoRPh survey accreditation.
You will be highly motivated, enthusiastic, proactive and focussed on achieving and delivering technical excellence. Skilled at collaborative working, have good interpersonal skills, be a great communicator and be able to generate innovative outcomes to challenges and follow them through. In addition, you will need to be flexible, adaptable and prepared to take on new challenges.