Water Framework Directive Scientist

slihrms; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is a leading design, engineering and project management consultancy seeking a highly motivated professional to join our Water Management Consultancy group in Ireland. You will lead WFD compliance assessments, contribute to EIAR chapters, and help win more WFD-focused work while collaborating across a national and international network.

You will work with environmental scientists, ecologists, hydrologists and engineers to deliver integrated environmental outcomes, while mentoring

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant discipline and a post-graduate qualification are required.
• Experience leading or managing teams on WFD compliance assessments across projects of varying size.
• Chartered status or working towards it is expected or desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the undertaking of Water Framework Directive compliance assessments.
• Lead technical WFD chapters for EIARs.
• Support in work winning activities to secure more WFD-focused work.
• Collaborate with Water Management Consultancy and AtkinsRéalis' network to ensure WFD compliance.
• Liaise with internal and external project teams to deliver the best environmental outcomes.
• Work on standardisation and automation of the WFD assessment process.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to team development.

Skills

Water Framework Directive (WFD)

Team leadership

Report writing

Data interpretation

Stakeholder liaison

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Post-graduate qualification

Chartered status or working towards

Job description

Job Description

Overview

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world's most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, with over 50,000 employees worldwide. At AtkinsRéalis, we offer more than just a job. We offer an opportunity to make a difference and shape the world to benefit future generations and the natural environment. We have a multi-disciplinary Water Management Consultancy group that continues to grow and now has ~10 specialists across Ireland. We have a reputation for technical excellence, innovation and actively shaping the future of our industry. We are a friendly and approachable team. We enjoy the work we do and have fun while doing it.

We are seeking to expand the team and to add to and expand our existing service offerings. If you are looking to deliver interesting and significant water-focused projects, influence environmental outcomes at the project level and beyond, and work within a strong culture of wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity, this is the place for you.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our dynamic team and to help ensure projects are compliant with the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). You should have significant experience in undertaking Water Framework Directive compliance assessments and expertise in a technically related subject (water quality, hydroecology or hydromorphology).

Our team is technically progressive and offers a wonderful opportunity for you to work with like-minded specialists. Within AtkinsRéalis, we operate national and international technical networks to develop and share the very best ideas and practice in our industry. We encourage the production of papers/articles and support our staff in presenting their work at conferences. We actively support staff in their career progression. This is an exceptional environment for you to develop your technical and commercial skills.

We value flexible working and encourage working from different offices across Ireland, flexible hours and home working; you can also work for 20 days a year away from your home base. We also support part-time workers who make up an essential component of our team. The role can be based any of offices in Ireland, namely Dublin, Cork, Dundalk or Galway.

We work for clients across the Ireland, including central government, regulators, Uisce Eireann and local authorities, among others. We have a strong pipeline of work secured with multiple entities on a wide range of projects. We are leading on a variety of unique water industry projects which offer excellent opportunities.

Your role

• To lead the undertaking of Water Framework Directive compliance assessments.
• Lead technical WFD chapters for EIARs.
• To support in work winning activities to secure more WFD focused work.
• Collaborative working with other Water Management Consultancy, and the wider network of AtkinsRéalis' specialists, to ensure projects are compliant with the Water Framework Directive legislation.
• Liaise with internal and external project teams to deliver the best environmental outcomes for affected projects to ensure WFD compliance.
• To work with others in the standardisation and automisation of the WFD assessment process.
• To work effectively as part of a team and with other professionals (environmental scientists, ecologists, water quality specialists, hydrologist, hydrogeologists, hydromorphologists, engineers, and planners) throughout AtkinsRéalis, to provide a consistent and integrated service to our clients.
• To work collaboratively with the wider team delegating to, reviewing the work of and mentoring more junior staff.
• To succeed within this role, you must have a flexible, 'hands-on', proactive approach to your work and be able to demonstrate significant consultancy experience. You must be able to work independently as well as part of a wider team and be comfortable applying your skills in a commercial environment.

About you

Required attributes

• A degree in a relevant discipline and a relevant post-graduate qualification.
• Experienced in leading, undertaking and or of managing teams to undertaken a range of Water Framework Directive compliance assessments across small to large-scale, complex projects.
• Chartered with an appropriate professional body, or at least working towards obtaining Chartered status.
• A proven ability to undertake, and review data to drive evidence-based solutions.
• A proven ability to present findings in a well-structured, concise argument (verbal or written), supported by evidence.
• A proven understanding of the linkages between the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Habitats Directive and mitigation requirements.
• A proven ability to write reports in concise, plain English appropriate to audiences.
• Numerate, literate and familiar with IT software appropriate to the tasks undertaken.

Desirable qualifications/skills

• Experience of work in Ireland, or at least the UK or in the European Union and thus of the Water Framework Directive and its requirements.