Principal Peat / Soil Scientist

AtkinsRéalis; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Hybrid working culture

Flexible holiday allowances

Training and professional development

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Senior or Principal Peat Scientist to join our UK Environment Practice, ideally based in Scotland. You will lead peat surveys and develop sustainable management strategies for major infrastructure projects across the UK and globally, within a multi-disciplinary team.

The role involves client liaison, proposal input, health and safety on site, mentoring junior staff and ongoing CPD to maintain technical excellence. Travel across the UK for short assignments is expected.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in peat/soil science, geology, geography or environmental science.
• Post-graduate experience in peat/soil related work.
• Membership of a relevant professional body, with chartership target if not already.
• Experience in peat surveys: descriptions, classification, sampling and hydrology.
• Knowledge of peat management/restoration and volumes.
• Understanding of legislation, guidance and best practice for peat management.
• Experience in preparing technical reports and EIAs; ability to contribute to bids.
• Willingness to travel across the UK for short assignments.
• Excellent communication and mentoring abilities; team and independent working.
• Flexible, proactive and committed to safety and CPD.

Responsibilities

• Lead on technical delivery of peat surveys and sustainable management strategies.
• Support and lead client work development, proposals and bids for multi-disciplinary projects.
• Liaise with clients, regulators, sub-contractors and internal teams.
• Work with environmental scientists, engineers and planners to deliver integrated services.
• Maintain professional relationships to secure repeat business.
• Ensure Health and Safety compliance, including plans on site.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior staff.
• Develop own competence and CPD with business support.

Skills

peat surveys

stakeholder liaison

team mentoring

CPD

Education

Degree in peat/soil science or related

Post-graduate experience

Chartered membership / progression plan

Job description

Overview

We have a great opportunity for a dynamic and motivated Senior or Principal Peat Scientist (depending on experience) to join our Environment Practice in the UK to support with current projects, drive technical delivery and develop business across our growth markets. We are flexible on location, but ideally you will be based in Scotland.

We are seeking an individual with a strong technical background and practical experience in the assessment and management of peatland to support existing projects and to the development of our peatland management services.

You will be an important part of an innovative and technically excellent multi-disciplinary team helping to deliver bespoke soil and peat management strategies for major infrastructure projects across the UK and globally, as well as supporting on projects relating to natural capital and nature-based solutions. As a member of our team, you will be involved in a range of office and field-based work, engaging with our experienced staff to deliver excellence to our clients, and will work closely with a wide range of other professionals to deliver holistic solutions to environmental and engineering problems.

The Sustainable Soils and Resource Management (SLRM) team is a well-established, award winning, multi-disciplinary, environmental and engineering practice with an extensive portfolio of regeneration and development projects and a highly skilled team winning numerous industry awards over the years. Due increasing project demands, we are growing our peat, soil and agricultural land quality service lines, and the successful candidate will work on a number of large projects across a range of exciting markets, including the development of Cities, Transportation, Water, Defence and Energy infrastructure.

Your role

• Lead on the technical delivery of peat surveys and development of sustainable management strategies.
• Support and lead on client work development, preparation of proposals and input into bids for multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Liaison with clients, stakeholders, regulators, sub-contractors and other internal disciplines.
• Work effectively as part of a team and with other professionals (environmental scientists, engineers, planners) to provide a consistent and integrated service to our clients.
• Maintain excellent professional relationships which will lead to and secure repeat business.
• Compliance with Health and Safety policies and procedures, including preparing and reviewing health and safety plans and managing health and safety on site.
• Provide technical guidance, constructive support and mentoring to junior staff and supporting their technical development.
• Developing own competence and maintain CPD necessary to fulfil the responsibilities of the role, with support from the business on own training and development needs.

About you

• Degree qualified in a relevant science subject (e.g. peat or soil science, geology, geography or environmental science).
• Relevant years of post-graduate experience.
• Full or Chartered Membership of relevant professional body. If not Chartered, we would expect the candidate, with our support, to become chartered 6 to 12 months after joining.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of undertaking peat surveys including recording accurate descriptions of peat landscapes, undertaking peat classification, collecting soil samples and classifying peat hydrology.
• Detailed working knowledge and specialist understanding of peat management and restoration including interpretating peat volumes.
• Working knowledge and demonstrable understanding of the relevant legislation, technical guidance, industry standards and best practice, in respect to the assessment, protection and sustainable management of peat.
• Experienced in preparing and reviewing technical reports, peat assessments, peat resource management plans, peat handling management plans and aftercare plans. Experience in writing EIA chapters is desirable but not essential.
• Experience with peat landslide risk assessments desirable but not essential.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of providing advice on sustainable peat management during infrastructure development.
• Excellent communication skills and proven ability to manage and mentor staff as well as managing time and work as part of a team as well as individual working.
• Flexible and prepared to take on new challenges.
• Full UK driving licence and the ability and willingness to travel throughout the UK and work on short term assignments.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

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