Freshwater Ecologist

This Position is open for Derby, Glasgow, Peterborough, Epsom, Birmingham and Bristol Offices.

Do you have the drive, skills and career potential to work with us as an experienced freshwater ecologist, influencing environmental outcomes for our freshwater systems at the project level and beyond? We are seeking to further expand our team of aquatic ecologists within AtkinsRéalis’ Water Management Consultancy. So, if you are looking to join an established team focused on the delivery of interesting and significant projects, framed by a strong culture of wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity, this is the place for you.

Our Water Management Consultancy operates at the interface between people and the water environment. Our key services cover all aspects of water management including aquatic ecology, hydromorphology, river restoration, flood and coastal erosion risk management, integrated catchment management, regulation and assurance, strategic asset management, water resources and water quality planning, hydrogeology and hydrology, climate futures and resilience, coastal and marine environmental management, natural capital assessment and economic appraisal.

As a freshwater ecologist, focused on freshwater habitats and species, you can expect to deliver river and wetland environmental assessments and support the restoration and enhancement our aquatic systems, seeing your work produce tangible improvements within river catchments throughout the UK and overseas. The dynamic and influential relationship between our aquatic ecology team, water resource specialists and our engineering design and planning colleagues provide exceptional opportunities for you to develop your career.

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, with over 36,000 employees worldwide. At AtkinsRéalis, we offer more than just a job. We offer an opportunity to make a difference and shape the world to benefit future generations and the natural environment.

As part of this commitment, we understand the need for a diverse and flexible workforce, where a work-life balance is important. So, by default AtkinsRéalis offers flexible working, where there is no fixed 9 ‘till 5, no need for a 5-day week, no requirement for a full-time contract, and no requirement to spend all your working time in the office. Our IT systems support homeworking, so where you have parental or carer duties; or you simply need to be elsewhere for a parcel, servicing your car, or waiting in for a tradesperson; AtkinsRéalis will work for you. Similarly, AtkinsRéalis’ corporate social responsibility provides the opportunity to give something back to the community, and we run professional networks supporting groups such as local schools, charities, parents, those coming out of the armed-forces and women in engineering.

You should have a strong technical portfolio in freshwater habitat and species environmental assessment and exhibit strong collaborative and network behaviours to interface with other technical specialists. You will have the chance to develop opportunities and support projects through our increasing portfolio of UK water resource investigation and international work, alongside our staff in Canada, USA, India, Africa and Asia Pacific. As a major engineering, environmental and design consultancy, AtkinsRéalis offers opportunities for talented consultants to work on a wide variety of high-profile projects.

**Responsibilities**:
Joining a well-established and successful team, you will be pivotal in delivering freshwater focused ecological impact and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments for a diverse client and project portfolio. You will be responsible for identifying and developing opportunities to deliver positive biodiversity outcomes from your project work, notably including projects for which Biodiversity Net Gain is, or will soon become, mandatory.

**_You will also:_**
- Support in the delivery of other environmental assessments (e.g., preliminary ecological appraisals and Water Framework Directive compliance reporting).
- Co-ordinate ecological inputs (including baseline field surveys) to projects.
- Support our national aquatic ecology team and wider business with work winning activities as we continue to grow our environmental assessment capability.
- Contribute to the continuous development of our technical approaches and maintain excellent relationships with other professionals (environmental scientists, engineers, planning consultants) throughout Atkins to provide a consistent and integrated service to clients.

**Requirements**:
All applicants will need to demonstrate experience of working on large infrastructure projects as part of a multidisciplinary team and have a proven ability to undertake a thorough technical investigation, that presents well-structured, concise evidence-based findings (verbal or written). The role requires someone highly numerate, literate and fam