Senior Soil Science Consultant / Principal Soil Science Consultant
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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.
To find out more about our Ground & Water team part of the Earth and Environment business, click on the following for context: Ground risk and remediation | WSP.
A Little More About Your Role…
At WSP, you’ll be challenged in more fascinating and far‑reaching ways than ever before. You’ll explore new and inspiring opportunities to make the most of your expertise, broaden your professional horizons and create exciting new possibilities for people, organisations and society in general. Our work involves infrastructure and development projects across sectors, in particular energy transition, nuclear, rail, highways, and residential/commercial development. You will be delivering a broad range of projects at various stages with responsibility for managing projects (with appropriate supervision), including tasks related to bidding, project team management, project delivery and financial management. Soils are a critical finite resource underpinning environmental services, and WSP is looking for an experienced Principal Soil Scientist to support the growth of our soil team, particularly working with colleagues in Ground & Water, Nature Advisory, Landscape, Environmental Planning, and Sustainability Policy & Compliance. You will join a small soil team to help expand our capabilities and embed soil understanding across the business.
Your Team
The role will be largely office based; periods on-site for training junior staff and providing quality assurance on surveys are anticipated. WSP has offices throughout the country; location is flexible. The role offers a flexible mix of working from home with travel to a WSP office for team and client meetings/project work. You will be someone who is an excellent relationship builder, highly organized, and adaptable with an awareness of the commercial demands of consultancy work. Ideally you will have the ambition to assist in growing the team to address rapidly growing demand for specialist soils scientists. You will join a friendly, supportive and motivated team of environmental and engineering professionals.
You will lead and support fieldwork/site visits and produce written reports for Agricultural Land Classification (ALC), Soil Resource Assessment, and tailored assessments for inclusion in Environmental Statements. You will work with our Nature Advisory and Landscape teams to support Landscape and Ecological Management Plans. You will manage data to support technical reporting, provide advice and support to colleagues, and liaise with clients, landowners, contractors, statutory authorities and third parties.
The post will be within our Ground & Water team, a service line in WSP's Earth & Environment business.
A Typical Week Would Include
1. Preparation of a range of soil and agricultural assessments in support of DCOs, EIAs, and construction projects. Managing and coordinating survey work.
2. Supporting colleagues across the UK with project delivery, assisting in the preparation of fee proposals, business development and work-winning duties.
3. Being supported by a team of experienced technical staff of various grades, supporting in the training of junior staff and spreading your knowledge and enthusiasm to other environmental disciplines.
We’d love to hear from you if you have:
* Degree level qualification in Soil Science, or similar (physical geology, environmental science) with 5–10 years relevant practical experience
* Experience in completing Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) surveys, Soil Resource Surveys, Soil Classification and site supervision during construction works, to BSSS competency standards
* A thorough grounding in H&S procedures (including CDM) for site work
* A working knowledge of EIA methodology, for the preparation of Environmental Statements, is desired but not essential
* Experience of liaising with internal and external clients, contractors, planning authorities and stakeholders
* Excellent communication and report writing skills
* Registered with a relevant professional body (e.g. British Society Soil Science) and ideally chartered
* Current working knowledge of UK environmental legislation, the implications of construction projects on agricultural land, and an understanding of UK agricultural practice and business issues
* Enjoy working as part of a team and taking ownership of project delivery
* Working knowledge of applied GIS
* Full driving licence and enjoy working outdoors
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 both 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, work is just one aspect of life. Our hybrid policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, with opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.
Inclusivity & Belonging We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We encourage people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work, celebrate integrity, and support a culture of inclusion and belonging. Our employee resource groups promote diversity and accessibility.
Health & Wellbeing We support your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service provides access to NHS/Irish Medical Council GPs, and we offer workplace adjustments, Gymflex discounts on memberships, and menopause support.
Flex your time WSP offers the “WSP My Hour” policy, allowing one hour each day for personal activities with flexibility to adjust time. We also provide part‑time and flexible working, additional leave options, and bank holiday entitlement rearrangements.
Your development We invest in your growth through training, mentoring, and Chartership opportunities.
#WeAreWSP We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. Disability Confident: we will interview all disabled applicants who meet essential criteria; please indicate if you require workplace adjustments.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Consulting
Industries: Professional Services
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