Environmental Scientist

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity, where you can use your scientific knowledge and understanding in an environment which has a real impact on our community? If so, then read on!

What can I expect?

As an Environmental Scientist you will be joining the Environmental Solutions team where you will support the Senior Environmental Scientist in the delivery of Wessex Water’s environmental investigations through the collection and analysis of ecology, river flow, groundwater and water quality data.

As an Environmental Scientist, your responsibilities will include:

• assisting in the design and implementation of investigations to ensure we meet our environmental obligations
• undertaking in-field ecological monitoring including macroinvertebrate, macrophyte, diatom, sediment, habitat and fish surveys, as well as river flow, groundwater level monitoring and water quality sampling
• managing elements of the river ecology survey programme
• the quality assurance and analysis of data and reporting this to the Environment Agency, Natural England and wider stakeholders to achieve project outputs
• providing monitoring and support services to other departments, the Environment Agency and stakeholders to meet licence requirements and agreements
• maintaining a current knowledge of monitoring and ecological methods, relevant legislation and issues to deliver the required standards of survey and reporting
• providing budget estimates and procuring the equipment required to meet the project objectives
• liaising with stakeholders to obtain necessary permissions for undertaking the investigations.

What do I need?

We are looking for a confident positive individual with a safety-first approach who is confident working self-sufficiently including completing fieldwork alone. Due to the nature of the role, you will need to have the ability to swim as well as hold a valid driving licence. A company vehicle will be provided.

In addition, you will have:

• experience in freshwater ecology sampling and analysis techniques
• a good understanding of environmental issues relating to the abstraction and discharge of water and water pollution
• an understanding of conservation and other environmental legislation
• knowledge of the tools available for hydro-ecology, hydrometry and water quality monitoring and data interpretation
• a good understanding of the statistical analysis used in ecology
• technical report writing skills and the ability to communicate technical information to all levels
• an understanding of project management
• good knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing with experience of ArcView GIS
• health and safety experience, such as the provision of risk assessments and method statements.

Benefits for you

• Pension – up to 20% combined contribution.
• 25 days’ holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to five days’ holiday.
• Health benefits package.
• Life assurance (up to four times your salary).
• Electric vehicle salary exchange.
• Flexible working.
• Cashback and discounts from over 1,200 retailers.
• Paid volunteering day.
• Enhanced family leave.
• Interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

What will you get from us?

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, and they stay with us! We are proud of how we support development and career progression. We have a wealth of both financial and non-financial benefits to offer our people and are committed to ensuring we provide an environment that supports health and wellbeing and flexible working.

We continue to promote diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, we welcome all applicants.

We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer. Applicants who declare they have a disability or have previously served with the Armed Forces, and meet the minimum requirements for the job, will automatically be invited for an interview.

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to assist you in starting your journey with Wessex Water.

If you have what it takes to join this award-winning business and want to be part of our exciting journey and share in that success, then please get in contact with us to find out more.

Sound interesting? Please click APPLY to progress to the next step.