Lead Specialist (Hydrometry)

Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Holytown; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and Flexible working

35 days plus holidays

LGPS

Wellbeing time off

Family friendly policies

Training & development

Employee discount platform

Cycle to Work

Job summary

SEPA in Scotland is recruiting a Lead Specialist (Hydrometry) on a permanent basis. You will provide strategic technical and scientific leadership within the Hydrometry Unit and shape delivery of the Hydrology Monitoring Framework and related plans.

You will collaborate across units and with UK and international environment agencies, drive policy development, and ensure financial sustainability while mitigating risks. A strong leadership and communications track record is essential.

Qualifications

• Extensive hydrological experience and knowledge, incl. delivery of Hydrometry and regulatory requirements in a Scottish context.
• Strong leadership, project management, and organisational capabilities.
• Excellent communication to translate complex concepts for non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical and scientific leadership to the Hydrometry Unit.
• Oversee development of policies and procedures within Hydrometry.
• Collaborate with the Hydrometry Senior Manager to shape delivery and financial sustainability.
• Mitigate portfolio and corporate risks; exploit opportunities from innovations.
• Work across SEPA units and with UK/international environment agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Education

SCQF Level 10 or equivalent

Job description

We are recruiting for a full time Lead Specialist (Hydrometry) on a permanent basis

Your passion has never had a greater purpose

Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take - to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise.

That’s why, when you join us as a Lead Specialist (Hydrometry), you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful - for our environment, and for your career.

Work that goes beyond your desk

Experts at what we do, we work in a professional way towards our shared goals, knowing the work we do makes a genuine, lasting difference on the environment. As a Lead Specialist (Hydrometry), that involves:

• The role will provide strategic technical and scientific leadership to the Hydrometry Unit. As a member of the Hydrometry Leadership Team, it will hold responsibility for the development and delivery of key strategies and plans, including the Hydrology Monitoring Framework and the Future Hydrometric Network Plan
• The role will also provide technical oversight and direction to work carried out by colleagues across the Hydrometry function, including the development of new policies and procedures
• Working closely with the Senior Manager for Hydrometry, the role will lead on shaping how Hydrometry is delivered effectively and efficiently in the context of public sector reform, including ensuring the long‑term financial sustainability of operations
• The role will play a critical part in mitigating significant portfolio and corporate risks whilst looking to capitalise on opportunities such as technological and methodological innovations
• The role will work across Units, Functions and Portfolios within SEPA and with colleagues across other UK and international environment agencies, acting with a high degree of autonomy. The role will also work collaboratively as required with other Scottish and UK public bodies

Respect for your expertise

This is a highly important role within our Evidence & Water Reslience portfolio, which means you’ll need:

• Relevant experience or qualification equivalent to SCQF Level 10 (e.g. relevant degree)
• Extensive hydrological experience and knowledge, including a comprehensive understanding of the delivery of effective and efficient Hydrometry, and knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements within a Scottish context
• Effective, demonstrable leadership skills, including strategic thinking, a clear solution focused mentality, strong collaborative skills, the ability to influence and resolve conflict, and effective project management and organisational capability
• Strong people skills, including empathy, tact and sound judgement when mentoring, supporting staff and balancing priorities
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex concepts into clear, accessible messages for non-technical stakeholders and the public

Support that goes beyond the workplace

We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
• Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
• Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Progressive Family Friendly policies
• Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.

Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/8 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

Passionately you. Purposefully supportive

SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does - as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.

Passionately Purposeful about Scotland’s environment - and your career.

Protecting our environment, promoting our work, and supporting our people, working at SEPA means being part of an organisation that’s grounded in respect for your expertise - and your wellbeing. So you can be your best, and make the biggest impact.

We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis.

We support flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy balance between career and homelife. This includes working part time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely. As a flexible first employer we are open to having conversations about flexible working arrangements that work for you and SEPA from day 1 of your employment with us.

We are proud to be a 'Disability Confident' employer and will work to identify and implement reasonable adjustments and equipment to support you in the role that you do.

Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.

For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotland check.