Senior / Principal Hydrologist (Flood Risk Consultant)

Stantec; Moor Side; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in the UK is seeking a Senior or Principal Hydrologist to join their Water Environment team. This role involves delivering sustainable flood risk and drainage solutions, contributing to environmental assessments, and mentoring junior team members. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and experience in managing water environment projects, particularly in flood risk assessments and hydraulic modelling. The position offers a collaborative work culture and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering and managing water environment projects.
• Achieving or working towards Chartership with a relevant professional body.
• Strong leadership and communication skills for client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Flood Risk Assessments in accordance with planning policy.
• Conduct hydraulic modelling using prescribed software.
• Develop surface water drainage strategies aligned with guidance.

Skills

Hydraulic modelling

Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs)

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)

Proficient use of GIS

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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications & Experience

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.

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. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.