Job Description

Our Water Environment team is recruiting an experienced Consultant Aquatic Ecologist to work in our Nottingham, Basingstoke or Leeds office. We have laboratories in Nottingham and Leeds and experience of analysis of macroinvertebrate, fish and/or diatom samples would be beneficial.

You will be an ambitious team player with an aptitude for client care, project delivery and development of innovative, cost effective solutions in a collaborative, stimulating, demanding environment. Our Water Environment and Ecology teams operate across the UK and Ireland so there may be opportunities to work at a range of locations. However, the successful applicant will live locally or relocate to the area local to the home office.

Personal attributes:

We are looking for a self-reliant and committed candidate who thrives on challenges and is happy to collaborate across disciplines:

• Willing to pursue excellence and implement innovative and bespoke methods to meet the requirements of complex, multi-disciplinary projects
• Sensitive to client needs and possess strong problem-solving and inter-personal skills
• Able to communicate effectively with their line manager, project managers, project teams, colleagues, stakeholders and clients
• Able to demonstrate a professional, organised and thorough approach to work and time management and attention to detail
• Adaptable and flexible in terms of timekeeping so that peaks in demands can be met. The role may involve occasional longer/unsociable hours and short periods away from home

Desirable Job Requirements:

• Possess the motivation, initiative and organizational skills needed to work effectively in a busy multi-disciplinary environment and laboratory
• Experience in laboratory analysis: aquatic macroinvertebrates, larval fish, diatoms and/or water quality parameters is advantageous
• Field work in a range of aquatic habitats: fish, macroinvertebrates, crayfish, aquatic macrophytes, riparian mammals, River Habitat Survey; provide support for the delivery of existing and new contracts
• Demonstrate field identification skills in your area of specialism; wider knowledge of freshwater ecology/habitats
• Work in a network of water scientists and ecologists in the UK and Ireland with opportunities to contribute to multi-disciplinary projects: EIA, site mitigation, monitoring, excellent opportunities for CPD
• Maintain internal and external client relationships; the provision of urgent ecological response and/or advice as required
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written and in particular the ability to write concise technical reports, and skills in EcIA as required
• Knowledge of current environmental legislation: Water Framework Directive; other legislation relevant to the aquatic environment
• Appreciate H&S issues associated with working near water and the operation of our laboratories (procurement and management of reagents; COSHH assessments etc)
• First aid and water safety training would be beneficial, although this will be provided where required
• Assist with administrative duties and help develop the aquatic ecology team.
• Performs standard scientific work requiring application of techniques and procedures.
• Detects problems when using standardized procedures because of the condition of sample, difficulties with the equipment, etc.
• Conducts specific phases of projects for more experienced scientists.
• Proposes appropriate analytical methods and techniques. Assists in providing advice and consulting services within scope of scientific knowledge.
• Draws conclusions and makes recommendations based on analysis.
• Interprets and records data, conducts analyses, compares findings to relevant studies and local, state and federal regulations to ensure compliance.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Digital data capture, analysis and presentation, large-scale data processing, GIS Planning, coordinating and scheduling ecological surveys Aspirations for CPD Business management procedures Degree in an ecology, biology, zoology