Environmental Technician (Marine Focus)

WKC Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 100,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

WKC Group is seeking an experienced marine environmental survey technician to support on-site surveys in the UAE, focusing on marine ecological services. The role involves field surveys, water and sediment quality assessments, biodiversity surveys, and data collation and analysis.

The candidate should have a relevant BSc, ecology field experience, and SCUBA certification, with UAE experience preferred. The role includes vessel operations and survey equipment maintenance in remote field

Qualifications

• Experience (work or research) in ecology related field studies.
• Motor boat licence is required.
• Boat licence is required.
• PADI or similar SCUBA accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Support ecologists conducting field surveys (terrestrial and marine).
• Assist with benthic habitat identification, water and sediment sampling.
• Handle data analysis, including microscopy and statistics on samples.
• Drive survey vessels and act as boat captain when needed.
• Maintain and calibrate survey equipment; keep records up to date.

Skills

Ecology field experience

Motor boat licence

Boat licence

SCUBA accreditation (PADI)

Education

BSc in Biology, Zoology, Ecology

Job description

About WKC Group

WKC is a management-owned, international environmental consultancy specialising in science-led environmental studies that support clients’ permitting, financing and wider corporate objectives. Established in 2009, the company has grown from its origins in the Middle East and Africa to deliver projects globally across sectors including energy, mining, transportation, infrastructure and residential development.

Our work combines scientific expertise, regulatory knowledge and industry insight to help clients navigate environmental challenges and deliver sustainable development outcomes.

At WKC you’ll work alongside a team of environmental specialists delivering high-impact projects across multiple sectors and regions. Our collaborative partnership model encourages knowledge sharing and innovation across offices, enabling our teams to develop technically robust solutions to environmental challenges.

Role Summary

WKC is offering an opportunity for an experienced, marine environmental survey technician hoping to expand their knowledge of on site survey methods and techniques. The role will be based in the UAE with a focus on offering support to WKC’s marine ecological services. Including marine ecology surveys, water and sediment quality surveys, biodiversity surveys, environmental monitoring and data collation and analysis.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Support WKC ecologists (terrestrial and/or marine) conducting field surveys, including:
  • Benthic habitat identification;
  • MMRO
  • Water quality sampling
  • Sediment quality sampling
  • Habitat health assessment (e.g. seagrass and coral)
  • Turtle nesting and hatching surveys
  • Drop down video transects
  • SCUBA transects
• Data Analysis:
  • Process infauna, plankton and HAB cyst samples.
  • Microscopy including sorting infauna and photography or plankton and HAB cysts
  • Identification, enumeration and statistics.
• Drive survey vessels (and tow where needed)
• Act as boat captain and provide navigation
• Organise maintenance and calibration of survey equipment
• Keep tracking records up to date (timesheets, vehicle/vessel logs, laboratory records)

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential;

• BSc in relevant subject (e.g. Biology, Zoology, Ecology etc.)
• Experience (work or research experience) in ecology related field studies;
• Motor boat licence;
• Boat licence;
• PADI or similar SCUBA accreditation.

Desirable:

• Over 5 years UAE experience
• Experience with microscopy analysis
• Experience with habitat or species translocation or compensation
• Environmental monitoring expertise
• First Aid qualifications
• Experience specifically on ADNOC projects
• Bosiet training
• OGUK medical

The candidate should work in a way that aligns with WKC's culture, including:

• A strong focus on technical and scientific accuracy
• Independent work ethic, able to lead in remote field conditions
• A strong focus on health and safety
• Interest in analytics of raw baseline data, and interpretation of results