Aquatic Ecologist

**About FiveRivers**:
FiveRivers are a widely recognised industry specialist with over 25 years’ experience in the consultation, design and implementation of ecological and environmental solutions. Our specialism is delivering projects in the water environment, for example our design and build projects include wetlands creation for nutrient mitigation, natural flood management, river restoration and habitat enhancement, fish passage and easements.

**The Team**:
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic monitoring team undertaking field-based sampling and surveying of surface water environments across the UK. Our monitoring team continues to expand with growth as an AMP8 framework supplier/sub-consultant to the UK water industry and we require an Aquatic Ecologist to lead operational field teams. This role combines a knowledge of survey/sampling methodology, ecological principles, and species identification for delivery of monitoring programmes that inform environmental assessments. Providing robust high quality data that protects biodiversity, ecosystem services, and generates resilience in the face of climate change and other environmental issues.

**The Role**:
As an Aquatic Ecologist at Five Rivers, you’ll be joining a team of passionate and proactive industry experts with sustainability at its core. Together we thrive on a supportive culture which nurtures development, innovation, and a collaborative approach to delivering our ecological services.

You will be responsible for supervision and delivery of our Monitoring team schemes, focussed on guaranteeing project Safety and Quality controls are in place and maintained. You will oversee the safe and effective implementation of ecological surveys, and subsequent data management and report writing. The baseline data we collect is essential for evidence based environmental management by the construction, infrastructure, and water industry. The fieldwork will include, but not limited to, surveys of biological communities (fish, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes), physical characteristics (habitat assessment, river flow and levels) and chemical quality (water quality sampling). As a leader of operational field teams, you will mentor junior staff in the skills and knowledge required to fulfil their roles, and you will be invested in developing the team and ensuring quality is maintained.

**About You**:

- We're looking for someone who:_
- Can demonstrate relevant work experience in the public or private sector undertaking aquatic monitoring and sampling
- Is a confident survey leader with a broad knowledge of survey methodologies, ideally including competence in electric fishing for the assessment of fish population surveys
- Has experience in assessing hazards, risk and implementing control measures, with specific focus on working in and around water. Leading teams in line with safe working methods will be second nature and you will be confident in always ensuring the health and safety of your team
- As a field leader of operational teams, you will have the ability to delegate and instruct others in the diligent delivery of ecological surveying to guarantee the accuracy and reliability of the teams’ outputs, whilst also ensuring completion of surveys to agreed time scales

We need you to have:

- Membership of CIEEM, IFM or RSB
- Clean driving license (to travel to site)
- Ability to swim (as you'll be working in/around water)
- CSCS
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 - desired but not essential
- Electric fishing certified - desired but not essential

**We're Offering**:

- Salary £25,000 - £30,000 per annum dependant on experience level
- 33 days annual leave including bank holidays
- PayCare healthcare cashback scheme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity policies
- Death in service
- Generous sick pay
- Paid time off for volunteering
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Chance to join our LLP (and be a partner in the business)
- Extensive training and personal development opportunities