Principal Aquatic Ecologist

Five Rivers Environmental Contracting Ltd.; Warminster; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days leave

PayCare health cash plan

Death in service cover

Accommodation & subsistence when away

Company pool vehicles

Volunteer time off

Ongoing training and career dev

Job summary

Five Rivers Environmental Contracting Ltd. is seeking a Principal Aquatic Ecologist to lead our Environment & Water team. You will oversee survey design, sampling, species identification and data interpretation to support biodiversity across UK rivers and wetlands.

You will manage projects end-to-end, ensuring safety, quality, time and commercial targets are met. Travel across the UK is expected as projects require.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary aquatic ecology projects.
• Knowledge of UK conservation legislation and mitigation for protected species/habitats.
• Experience writing or leading technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead aquatic ecology projects from design to delivery, ensuring SQTC standards.
• Build project plans and lead teams to deliver them on time and within budget.
• Monitor risks, adjust plans and report forecasts to stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Health & safety

Risk management

Budgets & timelines

Aquatic ecology expertise

Client communication

Team mentorship

Education

Degree in environmental subject

Chartered status (CIEEM/IFM)

Job description

Love rivers and wetlands? Want to lead projects that make a real difference to biodiversity?

At FiveRivers, we’ve spent over 25 years working with nature, designing and delivering ecological and environmental solutions across the UK. We’re growing fast, and we’re looking for a Principal Aquatic Ecologist to help lead our Environment & Water team.

About the role

Reporting to our Head of Environment & Water, you’ll lead aquatic ecology projects from start to finish. You’ll bring your expertise in survey design, sampling, species identification and monitoring to deliver high-quality data that helps protect our rivers and wetlands now and in the face of climate change.

Safety and quality always come first. Alongside that, you’ll keep projects on track, on time and commercially strong.

What you’ll do

• Lead projects to our Safety, Quality, Time and Commercial (SQTC) standards
• Build project plans and lead teams to deliver them
• Spot changes early, assess the impact and find solutions
• Manage budgets, forecasting and commercial reporting
• Build strong relationships with clients and suppliers
• Mentor, develop and support your team, helping them grow their careers
• Set revenue, profit and utilisation targets with the Head of Environment & Water
• Support our estimators to write winning bids and tenders
• Help grow the business by finding new opportunities and representing FiveRivers at conferences, webinars and in articles

What you’ll bring

• Experience managing projects, including health and safety, risk, budgets and timescales
• Expert knowledge of aquatic ecology, survey design, species identification and habitat assessment
• A strong understanding of UK conservation legislation and mitigation for protected aquatic species and habitats
• Experience writing or leading technical reports
• Confidence working with clients, regulators and stakeholders
• A track record of successful bids and tenders
• Experience working safely in, on and near water
• A degree (Level 6 or above) in an environmental subject
• Chartered status with a professional body such as CIEEM or IFM

What’s in it for you

• Up to £55,000 depending on experience
• 33 days leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• PayCare health cash plan
• Death in service cover
• Paid accommodation and subsistence if working away
• Access to company pool vehicles
• Paid time off for volunteering
• Ongoing training and career development

Where you’ll be based

This is a hybrid role, with two days a week at our office in Codford, Wiltshire, and the rest working from home. You’ll also travel across the UK when projects need it.

Ready to make a difference?

We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to building an inclusive team.

Up to £55,000, depending on experience

Hours

37.5