Senior / Principal Hydrologist (Flood Risk Consultant)

Stantec; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy is seeking a Senior or Principal Hydrologist to join their team in the UK. This role involves managing flood risk and drainage projects, preparing assessments, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should have a relevant degree and significant experience in the water environment sector, with skills in hydraulic modelling and excellent report writing. The company offers opportunities to work on various projects addressing climate resilience and sustainable water solutions.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant discipline and working toward Chartership.
• Significant experience in managing water environment projects.
• Ability to guide team members and build client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Flood Risk Assessments aligned with planning policy.
• Manage complex projects and support business development.
• Contribute to team growth by mentoring junior staff.

Skills

Flood Risk Assessment preparation

Hydraulic modelling using Flood Modeller

Application of hydrological methods

Development of drainage strategies

GIS use for spatial analysis

Excellent report writing skills

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering, Geography or Environmental Science

Tools

Flood Modeller

TUFLOW

InfoWorks ICM

MicroDrainage (InfoDrainage)

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

Job description

Stantec is seeking a Senior or Principal Hydrologist - Flood Risk Consultant to join our growing Hydrology and Flood Risk discipline within the Water Environment team. You can be based in one of our Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol, or Cardiff offices, joining a friendly team and a collaborative group of over 90 Hydrologists, Hydrogeologists, Water Resources Planners, and Water Quality Scientists.

Our projects include enhancing the resilience of the public water supply, reducing the impact of wastewater treatment infrastructure on the water environment and working with Lead Local Flood Authorities. You will play a key role in delivering sustainable, climate‑resilient flood risk and drainage solutions, with opportunities to work across hydraulic modelling, hydrology, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) design, flood risk appraisal, and development planning support.

You will also contribute to the growth and development of the team – mentoring junior staff, sharing technical expertise, and supporting continuous improvement across our project delivery and quality assurance processes.

To be successful in this role, you will hold a degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline, and have achieved or are working towards Chartership with a relevant professional body (e.g. CIWEM, ICE).

You will bring significant experience in delivering and managing water environment projects, with a blend of technical expertise, leadership ability, and communication skills that enable you to guide team members and build trusted client relationships. You’ll be confident managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, supporting business development opportunities, and helping shape the future direction of our water and flood risk capability.

Your experience will include some or all of the following:

• Preparation of Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) in accordance with national planning policy
• Hydraulic modelling using software such as Flood Modeller, TUFLOW or InfoWorks ICM
• Application of hydrological methods, including FEH, ReFH2 and WINFAP for flow estimation
• Development of surface water drainage strategies incorporating SuDS, aligned with CIRIA guidance and LLFA requirements
• Surface water drainage design using tools such as MicroDrainage (InfoDrainage)
• Delivery of flood risk and drainage studies for LLFAs, including Flood Studies, Surface Water Management Plans (SWMPs), Local Flood Risk Management Plans and Flood Protection Schemes (FPSs)
• Contribution to river restoration and natural flood management schemes
• Supporting planning applications with appropriate flood and drainage documentation
• Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), including screening, scoping and supporting flood risk and drainage chapters
• Proficient use of GIS for spatial analysis and mapping, with experience in software such as ArcGIS Pro and QGIS
• Liaison with regulatory bodies, including LLFAs, Environment Agency, SEPA and water companies
• A sound understanding of relevant planning and technical guidance, including the NPPF, SuDS Manual, and non‑statutory technical standards
• Excellent report writing and communication skills for technical and non‑technical audiences

#UKWater #LI-MH1

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn't exactly align, we encourage you to apply.