Lead Specialist (Hydrometry)

Scottish Enterprise; Holytown; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and Flexible working

35 days annual leave + holidays

LGPS

Family friendly policies

Training & development

Job summary

SEPA is recruiting for a full-time Lead Specialist (Hydrometry) on a permanent basis in Scotland. You will provide strategic technical leadership to the Hydrometry Unit, delivering key plans and shaping how Hydrometry is delivered across SEPA and with UK/international partners.

The role requires extensive hydrological expertise and proven leadership, with strong communication skills to translate complex concepts for non-technical stakeholders and the public.

Qualifications

• Extensive hydrological experience and knowledge, including delivery of effective Hydrometry
• Effective leadership with strategic thinking and problem solving
• Strong communication and collaboration to influence stakeholders and resolve conflicts

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical and scientific leadership to the Hydrometry Unit and deliver key strategies such as the Hydrology Monitoring Framework and Future Hydrometric Network Plan
• Provide technical oversight and direction to colleagues across Hydrometry, including development of policies and procedures
• Lead on shaping delivery in the context of public sector reform and ensuring long-term financial sustainability
• Mitigate portfolio and corporate risks while capitalising on innovations
• Collaborate across SEPA units and with other UK and international environment agencies

Skills

Hydrometry expertise

Strategic leadership

Communication

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

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 Reslienceportfolio, 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 enablecolleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.

Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 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.Please ensure that you include all relevant information when you apply.

We support flexible workingarrangements to help you maintain a healthy balancebetween career and homelife. This includes workingpart time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely.As a flexible first employer we are open to havingconversations about flexible working arrangementsthat work for you and SEPA from day 1 of youremployment with us.

Weareproudtobea'DisabilityConfident'employerandwillworktoidentifyandimplementreasonableadjustmentsandequipmenttosupportyou 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 willundergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotlandcheck.

If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at [e-mail]