Catchment Scientist

-; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design and engineering consultancy in the UK is seeking an experienced professional to join their Sustainable River Management team. The role involves supporting various catchment science projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and collaborating with environmental specialists. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field, experience in nature-based solutions, and excellent communication skills. Flexible working arrangements are available.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Career progression support

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant discipline and a relevant post-graduate qualification is essential.
• Experience in working with nature and undertaking environmental surveys.
• Experience of leading projects and managing project teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of catchment science projects with a focus on nature-based solutions.
• Lead projects and teams to deliver multidisciplinary solutions.
• Collaborate with other specialists to deliver habitat design and management.

Skills

Experience in nature-based solutions

Project management skills

Strong communication skills

Collaborative working

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Post-graduate qualification focused on Water/Catchment Management

Tools

GIS

Excel

VBA

Python

Job description

Overview

Sustainably Managing Rivers.

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world's most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, with over 50,000 employees worldwide. We offer more than just a job — we offer an opportunity to make a difference and shape the world to benefit future generations and the natural environment. We have a multi-disciplinary Sustainable River Management team within our Water Management Consultancy group that creates award-winning habitats. The team continues to grow and now includes over 45 specialists across the country. We are known for technical excellence, innovation and actively shaping the future of our industry. We are a friendly and approachable team that enjoys the work we do and has fun while doing it.

We are seeking to expand our award-winning Sustainable River Management team. If you want to deliver interesting and significant projects, influence environmental outcomes at the project level and beyond, and work within a culture of wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity, this is the place for you.

We are looking for a well-motivated candidate to join our dynamic team and help deliver exciting projects. You should have a background in the environmental sector and experience in one or more of the following disciplines: nature-based solutions, fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, hydro-ecology, aquatic ecology, wetlands or catchment science.

Our team is close-knit, technically progressive and offers a wonderful opportunity to work with like-minded specialists. We operate national and international technical networks to develop and share the best ideas and practices in our industry. We encourage the production of papers/articles and support our staff in presenting their work at conferences. We support staff in their career progression towards chartership and beyond. This is an exceptional environment for you to develop your technical and commercial skills.

We value flexible working and encourage working from different offices across the region, flexible hours and home working. We also support part-time workers who are an essential component of our team. The role would preferably be based in our Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Oxford, London/Epsom, Manchester or Peterborough offices, but you would also work with specialists from our other national office bases as required (including Derby and Swansea).

We work for clients across the UK and overseas, including central government, regulators, water companies, NGOs and local authorities. Preferred locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London/Epsom, Manchester, Oxford or Peterborough. Other locations would be considered, as appropriate.

Your purpose

• To support the delivery of a wide range of catchment science projects with a focus on nature-based solutions and the delivery of multiple benefits, recognising the different challenges and drivers for working with nature. There is a particular focus around rivers and wetlands.
• Leading projects and teams to deliver multidisciplinary solutions.
• Collaborative working with other AtkinsRéalis specialists to deliver habitat design, river and wetland management and restoration; Biodiversity Net Gain; river realignments; Water Framework Directive (WFD) compliance assessments and environmental assessments/EIAs.
• Liaise with internal and external project teams to deliver the best environmental options.
• To work effectively as part of a team and with other professionals (environmental scientists, ecologists, engineers, planners to name but a few) throughout AtkinsRéalis, to provide a consistent and integrated service to our clients.
• To succeed within this role, you must have a flexible, 'hands-on', proactive approach to your work.
• You must be able to work independently, be proactive, as well as part of a wider team and be comfortable applying your skills in a commercial environment.

What you can bring

• A degree in a relevant discipline and a relevant post-graduate qualification is essential (with a focus on Water/Catchment Management/River processes).
• Experience in working with nature and undertaking environmental surveys related to river, wetland and catchment systems and using data to drive evidence-based solutions.
• Experience of leading projects of this type and managing project teams.
• The role requires the individual to be numerate, literate and familiar with IT and software appropriate to the tasks undertaken.
• Experience in GIS, Excel, VBA, Python would be beneficial, but not essential.
• Understand the principles behind the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
• A valid driving licence and availability for travel across the UK and occasionally overseas where appropriate would also be beneficial.
• The individual would need to be skilled at collaborative working, highly motivated, deliver technical excellence, have good interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively.
• Finally, the candidate would need to have excellent communication, report writing and presentation skills.

Why work for AtkinsRéalis?

We’re ranked as one of LinkedIn's Top 25 Companies, where UK professionals want to work and stay once they join. We’ve also made the Times Top 50 employers for women.

Our Infrastructure team uses innovation, new approaches and the power of data to help our clients deliver end-to-end projects and programmes for essential future infrastructure. As the work becomes more complex, our employees continue to challenge the status quo.

We’re committed to engineering better for people and the planet, from our global Engineering Net-Zero programme to creating social value through EDAROTH community housing. We’re proud of our active employee networks creating awareness and allyship for our under-represented groups. We also run programmes supporting communities outside AtkinsRéalis, including schools, charities, ex-forces personnel and professionals returning after career breaks.

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not mention or include in your application or CV details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community — a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

Additional information

#LI-INFRASTRUCTURE | #LI-UK

Worker Type: Employee

Job Type: Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.