Senior / Principal Hydrologist (Flood Risk Consultant)

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior or Principal Hydrologist – Flood Risk Consultant. This role involves delivering sustainable flood risk solutions, mentoring junior staff, and managing complex projects. Candidates should have a relevant degree and experience in hydraulic modeling and flood risk assessments. The office locations include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and Bristol. Opportunities for professional development and valuable mentorship are available.

Qualifications

• Hold a degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Achieved or working towards Chartership with a relevant professional body.
• Significant experience in delivering and managing water environment projects.

Responsibilities

• Deliver sustainable, climate-resilient flood risk and drainage solutions.
• Mentor junior staff and share technical expertise.
• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Skills

Flood Risk Assessments

Hydraulic modelling

Hydrological methods

Surface water drainage strategies

Report writing

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science or related discipline

Tools

Flood Modeller

TUFLOW

InfoWorks ICM

MicroDrainage

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.

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 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