Graduate Ecologist

We have an exciting opening for a Graduate Ecologist to join our Environment and Planning Services team. If you are looking to start your career within the water industry, then this would be a great opportunity for you

Although based in Bath, this role will require you to travel throughout the region on a regular basis. We also offer flexible working, allowing you to work from home some of the time, if preferred, as well as in our office.

**What you'll do**:
Our Environment and Planning Services team, which includes the Ecology team, provides a wide range of environmental support to our engineering and construction colleagues to facilitate the delivery of our capital programme.

Our Ecologists deliver a range of services, including ecological surveys, ecological impact assessments, protected species work, and mitigation and construction support.

The Ecology team supports a diverse range of projects and enjoys the satisfaction of working on and influencing projects from outline design through to completion.

Supporting our agreed rolling five-year programmes of work, all within the Wessex Water region, and working closely with our in-house design teams, our Ecologists spend the majority of their working time doing the ecology work they love and enjoy a good work/life balance.

Long-distance travel and supporting fee proposals are not a feature of this role. As a Graduate Trainee Ecologist, you will undertake ecological assessments of capital programme schemes, as well as schemes of your own.

You will also work with the team to provide ecological advice to engineering, construction and operational staff to ensure we meet current legislation and our environmental policy in the development of assets.

**What you'll need**:
To be considered for this exciting opportunity you will have:

- relevant academic qualifications as well as identification and field skills for UK species
- an understanding of habitat classification (UKHabs) and protected species appraisal surveys
- a practical and pragmatic approach to how habitat and protected species mitigation is undertaken
- good report writing skills
- a broad understanding of the UK planning process and legal framework
- an understanding or experience of working proactively with engineering teams throughout design and construction
- a proactive and flexible approach to working on successful project delivery.
- good IT skills.

It would be advantageous for you to hold or be working towards any protected species survey licences (for example, great crested newts and bats) and have experience with GIS systems (ArcGIS).

Due to the nature of travelling around the Wessex Water region, which in some cases can be very rural, a full clean driving licence and access to own transport is essential.

**What you'll receive**:

- Total pension contributions up to 20%.
- Career progression and professional development opportunities.
- 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
- The opportunity to buy up to 10 days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
- A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
- Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
- A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary.
- Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
- One paid volunteering day each year.
- Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
- An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
- Support from mental health first aiders.
- A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

**Who we are**:
We are one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West.

The work we do goes beyond providing an essential public service. We also aim to have a positive impact on the communities we serve and the natural environment.

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us You will have the opportunity to develop and progress your career, while also receiving health and wellbeing support.

We also continue to promote diversity and inclusion - with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

This is an exciting opportunity to join us and if you would like to be part of our journey, we would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to let us know about any additional support you may need.