Ecologist (Freshwater) Environment Monitoring Officer

1

North West

Sale , Warrington

Mirwell Depot, Richard Fairclough House

Staff Grade 4

Permanent

Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Compressed Hours, Other

Operational Delivery

£29,706

We are the Environment Agency. We work with government, local councils, water companies, businesses, and communities to make our environment cleaner, safer, and healthier for people and wildlife.
The team’s main role is assessing how human activities and climatic factors (such as altered rainfall patterns) are impacting the aquatic environment and communicating this information to a range of audiences.
This role will involve:

• Analysing and interpreting environmental data using both standard and bespoke computer applications, and reporting your findings to our customers.
• Laboratory analysis of aquatic invertebrate samples to species level. This will be based at the Sale laboratory and will form a large part of this role.
• Seasonal field based ecological, water chemistry, water quality and/or fisheries survey work across the whole area (Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire).
• Supporting investigations into impacts of environmental pollution incidents.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

Our friendly and dedicated Analysis and Reporting team collect, analyse and interpret freshwater environmental data to inform a range of legislative, national and local requirements.
We are skilled in monitoring fieldwork and lab work and use our expertise to assess a wide variety of ecology, water quality and fisheries data from a range of sources. Our customers rely on the evidence we provide to support the delivery of local and national environmental improvements.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with a genuine passion for the environment.
You will be qualified to at least degree level or have a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant discipline (e.g. ecology, environmental sciences, biology, chemistry).
You must be trained in or have experience of:

• Identification of freshwater macroinvertebrates/plants/fish
• Water quality and/or freshwater ecological data analysis and interpretation
• Report writing
• Ecological survey work (such as macrophyte surveys, fish surveys, river habitat surveys)

Training in survey techniques and identification will be available, although prior training and experience is highly desirable.
Experience using Excel and Word is essential. You need to be able to work effectively on your own and within a team and be able to produce clear written work.
You must possess a full driving licence and be able to swim confidently

We value a diverse workforce and are fully committed to being an inclusive employer.
We encourage applications from the whole community, welcoming flexible working patterns, including job share to help you strike a good balance between your work and personal life. Please include information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
A full UK driving licence is essential.
Based in Warrington WA4 1HT with regular attendance to the Ecology Laboratory in
Sale M33 5NL and travelling to field locations for which transport will be provided.
To find out more please contact – Analysis & Reporting Team Leader; Sarah Gray on 07584777317 or email: Sarah.Gray@environment-agency.gov.uk or Analysis & Reporting Technical Leader; Andy Goodwin on 07768278368 or email: Andy.Goodwin@environment-agency.gov.uk
Interviews will be held in June 2023.