Consultant Hydrologist EIA Water Specialist (Associate Level)

ERM: Environmental Resources Management; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in Edinburgh is seeking a Consultant Hydrologist EIA Water Specialist to write crucial hydrology chapters for Environmental Impact Assessments. Responsibilities include conducting technical assessments, mentoring junior colleagues, and collaborating with various teams for effective project designs. Candidates should have a degree in Hydrology and experience with UK water legislation. The role emphasizes an inclusive workplace and adherence to environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Degree in Hydrology, or a related discipline required.
• Experience in writing EIA water chapters and studies essential.
• Familiarity with UK water legislation and private water supply regulations needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hydrology Environmental Impact Assessment chapters and technical appendices.
• Mentor junior colleagues and support their development.
• Liaise with project teams to integrate water considerations into designs.

Skills

Hydrology or related discipline

EIA water chapters experience

UK water legislation familiarity

Scottish renewables project experience

Report writing skills

Education

Degree in Hydrology

Tools

GIS (ArcPro)

Excel

MS Office Suite

Job description

Role overview

ERM is seeking a Consultant Hydrologist EIA Water Specialist to support the team with writing hydrology Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) chapters and associated technical appendices ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and client requirements.

You will conduct technical assessments, including:

• Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE) risk assessments
• Private water supply risk assessments
• Watercourse Crossing Inventories
• Water Quality Monitoring Reports
• Water Framework Directive assessments.

Regular fieldwork: site walkovers for EIAs, water quality monitoring, private water supply surveys, writing risk assessments, 4x4 experience desirable.

As a Consultant, part of your role will be to mentor junior colleagues in the above assessments and field survey.

Other responsibilities

• Support scoping and baseline data collection for surface water and groundwater.
• Liaise with ecologists, hydrologists, hydrogeologists, and engineers to integrate water considerations into project design.
• Apply best practice mitigation measures and contribute to Water Framework Directive (WFD) screening.
• Prepare clear, defensible documentation for planning and permitting processes.

Skills & Experience

• Degree Hydrology, or related discipline
• Experience in EIA water chapters and associated technical studies
• Familiarity with UK water legislation, WFD compliance, and private water supply regulations / guidance
• Demonstrated experience in Scottish renewables projects, including onshore wind and associated infrastructure, solar, and hydrogen with knowledge of Scottish planning and environmental requirements
• Strong report writing and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to manage tasks independently, work on multiple projects at a time, and mentor junior staff
• It is desirable for you to have experience in writing flood risk assessments (FRA) and hydraulic modelling.

Tools & Software

• Experience using GIS (ArcPro) for spatial analysis, mapping, surface water modelling, and field survey data collection
• Data analysis and visualisation (Excel)
• Document and collaboration tools (MS Office Suite, SharePoint).
• Desirable: hydrological modelling tools (e.g., FEH, HEC-RAS, FloodModeller).

Career Level Expectations

As Consultant level within ERM, you are developing leadership capability, supporting junior colleagues, and taking ownership of technical deliverables while growing client-facing skills.

ERM is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, it’s an essential part of what makes ERM a great place to build a career and helps us create better solutions for our clients.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for every candidate. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or need accommodations during the selection process, we’re here to support you. Our commitment doesn’t stop at hiring. Once you join us, we’ll ensure you have the tools, support, and adjustments needed to succeed and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn more about our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) efforts by visiting our website or exploring our 2025 Sustainability Report.