Closing Date2025-09-26
Senior Aquatic EcologistLocation: Falmer (hybrid with 2 days in office/site)
Salary: from £52,000 depending on experience
We are looking for a
Senior Aquatic Ecologist to join the Enabling Team within ETS to provide robust ecological risk management to support the design, maintenance and construction of a wide range of projects. The role will involve managing projects from design conception to construction completion; providing practical solutions to ensure ecological risks are managed through Project Delivery, being a Senior member of the Enabling Team, as well as seeking opportunities to enhance the natural environment.
Responsibilities:Safety & Environment:- Responsible for own health and safety within current industry guidelines and business requirement
- Develop and maintain project related Health and Safety strategies including risk assessments, ensure team comply with PPE requirements as necessary
- Follow procedures to ensure safety, sustainability and compliance is not compromised
Technical:- Support Project Managers, Engineers and Environmental Advisors by leading the delivery of aquatic ecology studies for a range of small, medium and large scale Water, Wastewater and / or Networks projects, and where necessary to provide technical support to the wider Southern Water business. Key
Accountabilities include:- Lead and support aquatic ecology surveys and assessments
- Project management of Southern Water's drought plan baseline monitoring survey programme
- Undertake own work and work with others in ecology surveys and assessments
- Liaison and report preparation
- Support of financial management of the ecology aspects of projects to ensure cost effective delivery
- Support the Principal Aquatic Ecologist in engaging ecology sub-contractors including supplier selection, performance appraisal and invoice approval
- Effective stakeholder management to ensure "buy in" from stakeholders and environmental regulators
- Responsible for the gathering, production and assimilation of information in preparing ecological assessments.
- Accurate Report preparation
- Resolution of basic problems including designing appropriate mitigation strategies
- Take ownership of aspects of team management and tasks required for the proper functioning of the Enabling Team
- Work will require travel in the UK to office and / or sites
- Undertake own continuing professional development under guidance from line managers
- Identifies causes and effects by thinking through different options in order to prioritise issues. Uses common sense or previous experience to deal with new problems or situations which may arise
- Seeks and uses ideas from team members to improve work. Works co-operatively with other teams/areas to achieve business aims
- Implements plans and holds self fully accountable for delivering short-term business requirements by prioritising effectively
- Recognises the need and value for training and development, for both self and others
- Presents ideas and views at face value. Assumes ideas should stand on their own merit
- Seeks to improve performance by setting specific, measurable goals
Innovation:- Carryout research and review research information to assist in promoting continuous improvement
People:- Build strong relationships with regulators and partners
- Work effectively with team members
- Work within a multidisciplinary project team
Financial & Commercial:- Prepare financial data to assist others in making business decisions
- Ensure lowest whole life cost and TOTEX solutions are delivered to outperform the business plan.
- Ability to analyse/assimilate financial information to make business decisions & cases
- Negotiating and influencing with senior internal and external stakeholders
Programme- Deliver required work to required timescales
- Ensure design programme is achievable, provide early warning of delays and ensure designs are delivered on time
Customer:- Follow procedures to ensure designs are aligned with customer expectations to ensure outcomes and promises are kept
Qualifications and Experience- Degree (BSc/MSc) in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field
- Membership of CIEEM, IFM, or equivalent professional body
- Proven experience in aquatic ecology within the water, infrastructure or consultancy sector
- Experience of managing survey programmes
- Proficiency in electric fishing, macroinvertebrate sampling and/or macrophyte surveys
- Design of mitigation measures to protect aquatic species and habitats
- Strong understanding of UK environmental legislation and permitting
- Full driving licence
- Competent in MS Office
- Good working knowledge of Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Excellent organisational skills
- Good communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work on own initiative on technical matters
