Senior / Principal Hydrologist (Flood Risk Consultant)

Stantec; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is looking for a Senior Hydrologist (Flood Risk Consultant) to join their Water Environment team in Leeds. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in Civil Engineering or related fields, alongside significant experience in flood risk assessments, hydraulic modelling, and surface water drainage design. This position offers an opportunity to lead projects and mentor junior staff, contributing to climate-resilient solutions in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in managing water environment projects.
• Chartership with a relevant professional body is preferred.
• Leadership ability and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Flood Risk Assessments in accordance with national policy.
• Contribute to project delivery and quality assurance.
• Mentor junior staff and share technical expertise.

Skills

Flood Risk Assessments

Hydraulic modelling

Surface water drainage design

Proficient use of GIS

Report writing

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science

Tools

Flood Modeller

TUFLOW

InfoWorks ICM

MicroDrainage

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

Job description

Stantec is seeking a Senior Hydrologist (Flood Risk Consultant) to join our Water Environment team, based in either our Edinburgh, Glasgow or Leeds offices and a Principal Hydrologist based in either our Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh or Newcastle offices.

You will join a friendly team of over 80 Hydrologists, Hydrogeologists, Water Resources Planners and Water Quality Scientists as part of our wider Water Environment Team. 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 be key 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 team's growth and development by mentoring junior staff, sharing technical expertise, and supporting continuous improvement across our project delivery and quality assurance processes.

About You

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 the delivery and management of water environment projects. Your technical expertise, leadership ability, and communication skills will 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

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients' vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today's challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit 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.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited about this role but worry that your experience doesn't exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.