Job Description
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
A Little More About The Aquatic Team
We work on a wide range of projects in the freshwater environment, including sustainable abstraction studies, river restoration schemes, ecological impact assessments, and the design and delivery of ecological monitoring programmes. The team collaborates widely with in‑house teams including catchment science and fluvial geomorphology experts to meet and exceed client and regulatory requirements. Our projects are primarily UK based while also covering a variety of international schemes such as development and R&D projects. Key UK portfolio projects include Water Industry Natural Environment Programme projects that identify and restore salmonid spawning habitats, predict abstraction impacts using macroinvertebrate metrics, and conduct routine biological monitoring for water companies.
Your New Role: What’s Involved
We are looking to appoint a senior applied aquatic ecologist or hydro‑ecologist to join our aquatic ecology team. The postholder will have a key technical role in delivery of our AMP8 WINEP projects and will be an experienced hydro‑ecologist or aquatic ecologist with a proven track record in delivering water industry projects. The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of the regulatory context for water resources projects in the UK and experience preparing ecological assessment reports to support Water Framework Directive and Habitats Regulations Assessments. Ideally, the postholder will have managed aquatic ecology and hydro‑ecology projects, including monitoring budgets and coordinating staff resources.
The Role Will Include
* Delivery of hydro‑ecological investigations on behalf of water industry clients, providing specialist aquatic ecological input to water resources projects.
* Analysis and interpretation of biological and hydrometric data, including outputs from standard biotic indices in the context of assessing impacts from abstraction.
* Design and delivery of aquatic ecological monitoring programmes to support water resource investigations.
* Preparation and delivery of interpretive technical reports for standalone aquatic ecology studies and in collaboration with other teams.
* Preparation of tender outputs for medium and large‑scale hydro‑ecology projects, including fee estimates.
* Building and maintaining a strong internal and external profile as a technical expert, for example, through our Practice Area Networks and externally.
What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate
* Extensive, relevant experience gained within a professional consultancy, regulatory or industrial role.
* A clear understanding of regulatory drivers including the Water Framework Directive and Habitats Regulations, in a water resources context.
* Strong numeracy, preferably with experience in statistical analysis and programming languages such as R.
* Experience interrogating ecological data (macroinvertebrate, macrophyte and/or fish) to understand and manage impacts of abstraction and other pressures on rivers.
* An enthusiastic, confident and positive approach with excellent communication and reporting skills.
Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities close to home and around the world.
With us, you can. Apply today.
About Us
We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.
What’s in it for you?
Work‑life balance
At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
Inclusivity & Belonging
We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.
Health & Wellbeing
We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits programme, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.
Flex your time
To enhance work‑life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
Your development
We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or chartership.
#WeAreWSP
Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
Professional Services
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