Senior Specialist Scientist – Water Resources Hydrology (Full time, permanent)
Location: Edinburgh / Motherwell / Dingwall. Interviews scheduled 4 June.
Responsibilities
* Provide technical expertise on surface water resources; influence strategic approaches to regulation, planning and climate adaptation.
* Lead and furnish expert technical evidence for licence reviews, especially to support Scotland’s river basin management planning improvements.
* Give expert technical evidence, advice and guidance to internal and external customers on complex and occasionally contentious water resources issues.
* Provide technical input into SEPA’s operational water‑scarcity incident response service, including the weekly water scarcity report and associated communications.
* Lead surface‑water‑resources development projects, including mapping and modelling, research projects and evidence analysis to inform future policy and regulations.
Qualifications
* Degree in an appropriate scientific discipline or equivalent experience.
* Comprehensive understanding of water resources processes, modelling, climate change impacts and Scottish legislative requirements.
* Extensive experience in hydrological impact and risk assessments, ideally for water‑resources licensing and minimising abstraction impacts.
* Demonstrated ability to deliver projects, think proactively, resolve conflict, manage projects and collaborate effectively.
* Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex hydrological concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and the public; mentoring experience desirable.
* Full UK driving licence.
Benefits
* Hybrid and flexible working opportunities.
* Up to 35 days annual leave plus 7 additional public holidays (pro‑rata).
* Paid time off for wellbeing and community volunteering.
* Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
* Progressive family‑friendly policies.
* Training and development opportunities.
Equality and Diversity
SEPA promotes equality, diversity and good relations. We recruit solely on merit and conduct shortlisting anonymously. We support flexible working arrangements, are a ‘Disability Confident’ employer and can provide reasonable adjustments. Applicants with visual impairment can request job materials in Braille, large print or tape.
Successful candidates will undergo baseline personnel security checks, including a level 1 Disclosure Scotland check.
Contact: recruitment@sepa.org.uk
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