Associate or Principal Hydrologist

SLR Consulting; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension

Private medical insurance

Life and travel insurance

Flexible/hybrid working

25 days' annual leave

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

SLR Consulting is seeking an experienced Hydrologist at Associate or Principal level to join the Flood Risk and Water Environment team. You will deliver high-profile UK projects, lead hydrology work, and mentor junior staff. Flexible location with hybrid working arrangements is considered.

You will collaborate across disciplines and engage with clients and regulators to shape our hydrology capability and support sustainable development.

Qualifications

• Extensive consultancy experience leading hydrological assessments.
• Degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science or related discipline.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership with CIWEM/ICE or similar.
• Strong experience in hydrological assessments for flood risk and hydraulic modelling.
• Advanced knowledge of UK methods (FEH, ReFH2, WINFAP, LowFlows).
• Experience deriving design flows and inputs for modelling.
• Experience preparing Flood Risk Assessments and SFRAs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery, review and QA of hydrological assessments.
• Mentor and develop junior colleagues.
• Develop and improve technical approaches and tools.
• Prepare fee proposals and contribute to planning and resources.
• Maintain relationships with clients, regulators and stakeholders.
• Support business development of flood risk and water environment services.
• Undertake desk-based work and site visits across the UK.

Skills

Hydrology

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Flood modelling

Geospatial analysis

Chartered status

UK hydrology methods

Education

Civil Engineering

Geography

Environmental Science

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

CIRIA guidance

Job description

SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, working with clients to help make sustainability happen, within a collaborative, people-first culture.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Associate or Principal Hydrologist to join our established Flood Risk and Water Environment team, delivering high-profile projects across the UK for public and private sector clients.

You'll join a friendly, collaborative group of Hydrologists, Hydraulic Modellers, Hydrogeologists, Water Resources Planners and Water Quality Scientists.

Whilst we would be keen to hire into an office with an existing hydrology team presence, including Manchester, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle or Nottingham, we would be happy to consider other office locations or remote working for the right person.

You'll work across a diverse portfolio of projects for both public and private sector clients, including developers, Local Flood Authorities, water companies and environmental regulators. As a senior member of the team, you’ll combine technical excellence with project leadership, helping to shape and grow our hydrology capability.

The Role Includes

• Leading the delivery, review and quality assurance of hydrological assessments for flood risk and water environment projects
• Mentoring and supporting the development of junior colleagues
• Developing and improving technical approaches, tools and methodologies
• Preparing fee proposals and contributing to project planning and resource management
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with clients, regulators and key stakeholders
• Contributing to business development activities and supporting the continued growth of our flood risk and water environment services
• Undertaking desk-based technical work alongside occasional site visits, catchment walkovers and stakeholder meetings across the UK

You'll collaborate with colleagues across Environmental and Earth Sciences, Planning, ESIA and Engineering, along with Global Advisory, on complex and impactful projects that improve resilience, manage flood risk and support sustainable development.

Rewards & Benefits

SLR's 'One Team' culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment where people can develop and grow. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and support towards chartership, professional qualifications and licences, we offer excellent opportunities for long-term career progression.

Our Flexible Benefits And Reward Package Includes

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life, income and travel insurance
• Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle-to-work schemes
• Flexible, hybrid and agile working
• 25 days' annual leave plus flexible public holidays
• Buy or sell leave options
• Core working hours
• Cross-border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
• Workplace Nursery benefit
• Volunteering and Community Giving
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause, supporting our people both professionally and personally

About You

As an experienced Hydrologist with proven consultancy or similar commercially based experience, we would envisage that you would bring:

• Extensive consultancy experience leading, reviewing and signing off hydrological assessments for flood risk and water environment projects
• A degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline
• Chartered status, or working towards chartership, with CIWEM, ICE or a similar professional body
• Strong experience delivering hydrological assessments to support flood risk and hydraulic modelling projects
• Advanced knowledge of UK hydrological methods and industry guidance, including FEH, ReFH2, WINFAP and LowFlows
• Experience deriving design flows and hydrological inputs for fluvial modelling and flood risk studies
• Experience preparing and reviewing Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) and Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRAs)
• Good understanding of UK flood risk policy, planning guidance and climate change allowances
• Experience liaising with the Environment Agency, SEPA, Natural Resources Wales, LLFAs and other key stakeholders
• Experience using GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS
• Excellent technical reporting, reviewing and quality assurance skills
• Experience undertaking Culvert Assessment Studies using CIRIA guidance
• Experience mentoring and developing junior staff
• Strong project management, stakeholder engagement and client relationship skills
• The ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and client relationships simultaneously
• Willingness to undertake occasional site visits, catchment walkovers and stakeholder meetings across the UK

Desirable

• Experience developing hydrological inputs for 1D and 2D hydraulic models using software such as Flood Modeller, TUFLOW or InfoWorks ICM
• Experience preparing surface water drainage strategies and SuDS assessments
• Experience in natural flood management, river restoration or environmental assessment projects
• Previous line management, pastoral care or people management responsibilities

Culture & Inclusion

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.