Senior Aquatic Ecologist

AECOM; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career development

Volunteering days

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Senior Aquatic Ecologist to join the Aquatic Ecology Team in the UK. You will provide technical expertise, conduct surveys, and contribute to a diverse project portfolio including infrastructure, habitat restoration, and pollution response projects.

The role blends desk-based work with occasional field visits. You will lead data analysis, author EcIA documents per CIEEM guidelines, manage survey design and costing, and mentor junior staff across national offices.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of monitoring techniques for aquatic ecology and permitting requirements.
• Familiar with Water Framework Directive (WFD) legislation and implementation.
• Experience from baseline data collection to impact mitigation in EcIA/EIA.
• Experience in WFD compliance assessment and reporting.
• Strong time management and stakeholder communication skills.
• Willingness to learn and contribute to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
• Proficient computer literacy and data handling.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide aquatic ecology input into EcIA, planning and mitigation on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Author technical reports and collaborate with teams for specialist input.
• Undertake data analysis and processing of ecological datasets.
• Produce EcIA documents in line with CIEEM guidelines.
• Manage aquatic ecology input, including survey design and costing.
• Lead a team of aquatic ecologists across nationwide offices and laboratories.
• Support the wider environmental business.

Skills

Monitoring techniques

WFD legislation

EcIA/EIA experience

WFD compliance

Time management

Client communication

Willingness to learn

Computer literacy

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced Senior Aquatic Ecologist to join the Aquatic Ecology Team at AECOM. We have multi-disciplinary offices throughout the UK, and you would play a key role in providing technical expertise and undertaking surveys for new and existing projects, as well as in the continued growth and development of our team. You will join a growing, friendly, and highly motivated team, and contribute to a diverse range of projects: baseline data collection and monitoring for major infrastructure and utility projects, fish passage and weir removal projects, habitat restoration for regulators and the private sector, pollution response surveys, water quality investigations, etc.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing aquatic ecology input into EcIA, planning, mitigation, and multi-disciplinary projects;
• Authoring technical reports and working with multi-disciplinary teams to provide specialist input;
• Undertaking data analysis and processing;
• Production of EcIA documents in line with CIEEM guidelines;
• Managing aquatic ecology input into projects, including survey design and costing;
• Playing an important lead role in a team of multi-skilled aquatic ecologists in AECOM's nationwide offices and laboratories;
• Supporting the wider environmental business.

The role will be predominantly desk-based, with the possibility of local fieldwork and occasional travel to local office(s) to engage with the wider team as discussed with the candidate.

Qualifications and Skills

• Understanding and implementing industry standard monitoring techniques and analyses for aquatic ecology and associated consenting/permitting requirements;
• Familiar with legislation relating to the aquatic environment and its implementation, including the Water Framework Directive (WFD);
• Experience of the EcIA/EIA process, from baseline data collection (desk-based and field surveys) to impact assessment and mitigation design;
• Experience of WFD compliance assessment;
• Good personal time management and communication skills with clients and team members locally, nationally, and internationally;
• Willingness to learn new skills and contribute to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, working with our multi-disciplinary teams;
• Strong computer literacy;
• Full UK driving licence.

Benefits and Perks

• Enjoy the Perks. At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.
• Freedom to grow in a world of opportunity: You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, remote location, or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.
• A global, publicly traded firm, providing a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families.

Company Culture and EEO

We are a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.