Freshwater Ecologist

**Binnies** an **RSK Group** company are recruiting for an experienced **Freshwater Ecologist** to join our national ecology team.

Our Ecology Team work on a wide portfolio of projects but with a focus on the water environment; e,g. flood, coastal and maritime projects, ports and harbours, water utilities, and our growing portfolio of water and catchment work including natural capital projects and Solutions By Nature; our joint venture providing nature-based solutions via blue-green infrastructure to the water industry.

Binnies is a registered Ecological (CIEEM) and Landscape Practice (Landscape Institute) and hold the IEMA EIA Quality Mark, which is a benchmark of our high standards in EIA delivery.

**About the Role**:
We are currently seeking ecologists with a keen interest and experience in freshwater ecology. Key aspects of the role would include:

- Providing guidance and quality assurance on freshwater ecology survey methodologies, data, and reports.
- Supporting field surveys.
- Mentoring more junior ecologists with a particular interest in freshwater ecology.
- Design of freshwater habitat restoration/creation schemes.
- Water related ecological impact assessment and Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments.
- Providing freshwater ecological input into planning, HRA and other consents and permits.
- Managing sub-consultants.

**Qualifications/Requirements**:
The role is suitable for an experienced Ecology professional who is a member of a professional institution such as CIEEM and has the following qualifications, skills and knowledge:

- have an ecological/environmental related degree
- have or working towards Chartership
- have excellent written and oral communication
- experience of aquatic macrophytes, invertebrates and/or fish, their habitat requirements, survey methodologies and classification methods
- experience in supporting technical assessments for EIA, HRA and WFD
- hold a full UK driving licence.

**Desirable experience includes**:

- understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain principles
- River MoRPh qualification
- previous consultancy experience.

There would be opportunity to work in other areas of ecology, e.g. terrestrial ecology or protected species, if that matches your interest.

We develop intelligent solutions using our award-winning integrated planning and design approach to deliver functional infrastructure and lasting environmental and social legacies. This is backed by a culture that has stayed true since our foundation over 100 years ago. We create new possibilities for humanity through our innovative approach to delivery.

Together with our clients, we are always striving to find a smarter way to deliver projects. From providing low carbon, sustainable and resilient water solutions, flood alleviation and environment services, to connecting people with insights and data. Our business exists to improve the quality of life for our local communities today and for generations to come.

Binnies is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then. In fact, Environment Analyst recently highlighted RSK’s growth commenting, “Few companies in the environmental services sector can claim to be expanding at the same pace as RSK.”

RSK operates as a group of synergistic businesses with a growth strategy centred on diversification to build a resilient business that can withstand external pressures while also bringing more value to clients and opportunities to employees.