Coastal Geomorphologist

JBA; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental consultancy in Portsmouth seeks a Coastal Geomorphologist to lead projects in habitat restoration and technical advisory. The ideal candidate has a geography or science-related degree and proven experience in coastal geomorphology. This role emphasizes strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to manage project teams. The company supports hybrid working to encourage flexibility. Expect to travel within the UK for site visits and assessments.

Benefits

Investment in staff development

Hybrid working flexibility

Qualifications

• Proven coastal geomorphology experience with an interest in water and environment.
• Strong analytical/problem-solving skills.
• Desire to work towards becoming chartered or possess chartership.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice on coastal geomorphology.
• Manage projects and small teams to deliver quality work.
• Conduct site assessments for habitat restoration opportunities.
• Undertake feasibility studies alongside teams.
• Utilize datasets and analyze coastal modelling results.

Skills

Coastal geomorphology experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project Management

Education

Geography or related science degree

Tools

Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Job description

With growing demand across a range of exciting projects we have an exciting opportunity for a Coastal Geomorphologist to join our Geomorphology team. We consider our geomorphologists to be at the forefront of our quest for resilience. You will work on projects that:

• Repair ecosystems by restoring natural processes
• Promote a nature-based approach to climate mitigation
• Build resilience for coastal communities
• Target the triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change
• Provide better places for people and nature
• Understand the underlying principles to restoring natural processes

The successful candidate will be required to undertake geomorphology related fieldwork and desk studies for a variety of schemes. They will lead restoration and habitat creation projects, will have a working knowledge of environmental compliance and will support our wider environmental and engineering teams to deliver projects. You'll be joining an established environmental and engineering consultancy who put sustainability and resilience to climate change at the heart of our company strategy. With offices in nine countries around the world and across the UK and Ireland, we like to think we make a difference. We are independent and employee‑owned allowing us the freedom to focus on innovation and our commitment to exceptional client service. Our workforce is central to our success, and we invest heavily in supporting staff development. We are great people to work for. JBA supports hybrid working which provides for greater flexibility with the way that we work. Visit https://www.jbaconsulting.com/ to find out more about what we do.

Responsibilities

• Offering expert coastal geomorphological technical advice to internal JBA teams
• Management of projects and small project teams and responsibility for delivering projects to time, budget and quality requirements.
• Undertaking site visits to assess habitat restoration and creation opportunities, and coastal and estuarine change.
• Undertaking feasibility studies in conjunction with the wider environmental and engineering teams.
• Undertaking baseline coastal process assessments and appraising engineering options and impacts to support scheme development.
• Working closely with JBA coastal modelling, environment and engineering teams.
• Using and analysing datasets, GIS and modelling outputs.
• Writing concise and logical reports, including for example policy research, technical analysis of hydraulic datasets, recommending policies.
• Presenting at client meetings or project workshops.
• Stakeholder engagement with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Assisting with tenders for commissions.
• Managing specialist sub‑contractors.
• Supporting projects in the UK and Internationally.

Candidates should be prepared to travel throughout the UK and Ireland and spend occasional nights away from home.

About the team member we are looking for

We are looking for well organised, motivated, enthusiastic, flexible individuals who can work on their own or as part of a multi‑disciplinary team. You should have proven coastal geomorphology experience and an interest in water and the environment with strong analytical/problem‑solving skills and be able to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally. The role is suitable for individuals who wish to develop to take on additional responsibility as their career develops. Applicants should have a geography or science related qualification, degree or equivalent and proven experience delivering work within a professional environment. Chartered status (ICE, CIWEM, CGeog) is important to JBA and valued by our clients therefore applicants should show a desire to work towards becoming chartered or have already achieved a relevant chartership.

Key qualities of the right candidate

• Organised and able to balance priorities.
• Pragmatic thinker and solution finder.
• Able to mentor junior staff.
• Self‑starter, who manages own workload.
• Effective communicator.

Essential Skills

• An understanding of process based coastal geomorphology.
• Experience working within a multi‑disciplinary design team.
• Experience of undertaking site‑based geomorphology assessments
• Experience analysing and using coastal modelling results.
• Water Framework Directive (WFD) working knowledge.
• An understanding of sediment transport, erosion and deposition processes.
• Experience using Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
• Report writing and quality assurance.
• Project Management.
• A full UK Driving licence is required.

Desirable Skills

• Tender preparation
• Policy and strategy development
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Mentoring
• Contract management.