Senior Ecologist

Hello, we’re Severn Trent and we think water is wonderful. Oh, we’re pretty keen on people too.

24 hours a day, 365 days a year we serve 4.8 million households and businesses across the heart of the UK. Each cuppa drank and every toilet flushed is only possible because of the 6,500 brilliant team members working across our patch.

We welcome people from all walks of life and celebrate individuality. We know diverse minds, experiences and backgrounds help us to learn and better serve our customers and the communities where they live.

If you want to do more because you care, we’d love to talk to you. There really is something for everyone here.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Our Water Quality & Environment Team have an opportunity for you to join as our new Senior Ecologist.

In your new role you will provide ecological leadership and advice to the business – driving Severn Trent’s ambition to be an environmental leader, protecting and enhancing biodiversity through the way we design and deliver capital schemes, manage our sites, and work with partners to benefit wildlife in the wider countryside.

You will also act as an ambassador for our work – using your skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to engage customers, regulators and stakeholders with the positive steps we are taking to improve wildlife and the wider environment in our regions.

Key Accountabilities

1. Providing support to capital design and operational teams to ensure:
1. Ecological risks and opportunities for biodiversity net gain are identified at the earliest opportunity in asset design and maintenance.
2. Cost-effective strategies for avoiding/mitigating harm are built into the design and delivery of schemes.
3. Appropriate licenses and controls are in place to meet species and habitat obligations.
4. Quality Assurance of external Consultant reports & activities to promote learning from errors.
5. The development and maintenance of standards, guidance and training to ensure the wider business, and our supply partners, have the tools and support to protect and enhance biodiversity on our sites and through the work we do in the wider countryside.
6. Planning, resourcing and leading ecological field surveys.
7. Management of in-house ecologist and consultancy contracts.
8. Take ownership, drive and implement continuous improvement.
9. Ensure staff are working safely at all times and have a mind-set of reporting / highlighting safety concerns.
10. Respond to incidents providing technical ecological expertise and support.
11. Build good relationships with NGOs, the Environment Agency, Natural England and other stakeholders to develop collaborative approaches that deliver habitat and species gains and risk mitigation.
12. Support on research and development opportunities exploring innovative ways to deliver ecological outcomes both within STW and as part of cross water company research projects.
13. Standby support out of normal office operating hours.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE

To be successful in this role it is expected that you will have a detailed understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing species and habitat conservation, along with the relevant policy and legislation.

It’s expected that you’ll have a relevant degree in ecology or a related discipline, and we would also like you to have knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain application and use of the calculator as well as having experience and knowledge in different environmental policy frameworks that operate in England and Wales.

You should possess a proven track record in providing ecological advice in the design and delivery of capital projects, leading and conducting ecological surveys and impact assessments, acting as Ecological Clerk of Works, and designing and implementing effective ecological mitigation strategies, including work with domestic and European Protected Species such as bats, badgers, and great crested newts.

You will need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be competent with using Microsoft applications and GIS systems including mapping using UKHAB.

As the role requires supervision, management and mentoring of junior staff, it is expected that you lead by example and undertake technical reviews/approvals.

Additionally, you should have experience in the design and implementation of practical conservation schemes, recognised technical expertise, strong identification skills across various taxonomic groups, and credibility in the environmental and ecological community, and hold individual licenses for protected species. Membership, or Chartership of a relevant professional body would be recommended.

The right skills and experience are important, but if you have the right character, positivity, and a caring attitude we want to talk to you too.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

Working here isn’t just a job. You can build a career at Severn Trent, and we’ll reward you for it too. We have a range of benefits that recognise great work, and award-winning training to help you reach your potential. And we’ll also help you play your part in looking after the environment and the communities where we live.

With that in mind, here are just some of our favourite perks that you’ll get being part of the Seven Trent family:

• 28 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/sell up to 5 days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (up to £2,250 based on company performance and subject to eligibility)
• Leading pension scheme – we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Sharesave – the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• 10% monthly discount with Busy Bees Nurseries and one-week free childcare
• Dedicated training and development with our Academy
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two paid volunteering days per year

WHAT’S NEXT?

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Before you apply, you’ll need an updated copy of your CV and about five minutes to spare.

And if your curiosity has peaked and you're wanting to find out even more, search #LifeAtSevernTrent on social media.