Principal Aquatic Ecologist

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland seeks a Principal to lead its Aquatic Ecology team. The successful candidate will be an expert in freshwater ecology with a proven track record delivering environmental impact assessments for major infrastructure in the UK, and experience working under DCO processes.

The role involves design oversight, client representation, and high-quality reporting. We value advanced technical knowledge of marine ecology, water legislation, and strong communication and leadership

Qualifications

• Extensive freshwater ecology experience in consultancy, regulatory, or industrial settings.
• Proven ability to design and deliver aquatic monitoring programmes.
• Strong knowledge of ecology, water legislation, and planning processes.

Responsibilities

• Guide and oversee aquatic baseline survey design to support EIAs and regulatory documents.
• Author EIA chapters and other outputs for UK and international development submissions.
• Represent clients on freshwater and regulatory matters when required.
• Provide expert advice on freshwater ecology and related issues.
• Build internal and external profile as a technical expert through networks.

Skills

Freshwater ecology expert

Regulatory & consultancy experience

EIA reporting

Project leadership

Stakeholder communication

People management

Job description

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

A Little More About Your Role…

We work on a wide range of projects in the freshwater environments, including river restoration schemes, design of ecological monitoring programmes, biodiversity net gain assessments, and ecological impact assessments. The team collaborates widely with in-house teams including WSP's Biodiversity Net Gain specialist group and fluvial geomorphology experts to meet and exceed client and regulatory body requirements. Our projects are primarily UK based although we also work on a wide range of international projects including development schemes and R&D projects. They include offshore wind farms, blue carbon projects, coastal power stations, green ammonia plants, ports and harbours schemes and long-distance cable routes.

Your New Role What's Involved?

We are looking to appoint a Principal to join our Aquatic Ecology team. The postholder will be an expert in freshwater ecology. We are looking for someone with a proven track record of working on environmental impact assessments for major infrastructure projects in freshwater environments in the UK, particularly those following a Development Consent Order application process. The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of the

The Role Will Include

• Guiding and overseeing the design of the aquatic baseline survey programmes to support Environmental Impact Assessments and other regulatory documents;


• Authoring Environmental Impact Assessment chapters and other written outputs which contribute to planning submissions for development schemes in the UK and internationally


• Representing clients on marine matters where required


• Providing expert advice on freshwater ecology and related matters,


• Building and maintaining a strong internal and external profile as a technical expert, for example, through our Practice Area Networks and externally

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Extensive, relevant experience gained within a professional consultancy, regulatory or industrial role.


• Advanced technical knowledge and competency in marine ecology, including protected species


• Proven track record in the design and successful delivery of aquatic monitoring programmes, across a range of aquatic habitats in the UK and internationally.


• The ability to produce high quality, technically and scientifically robust reports and other deliverables.


• A comprehensive knowledge of relevant ecology and water legislation, and its application in relation to the planning process.


• An enthusiastic, confident and positive approach with excellent communication and people management skills.