Preferred locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Oxford, Peterborough
Other potential locations: Glasgow and Warrington
SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, with over 50,000 employees worldwide. At Atkins, 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. We have a multi-disciplinary Sustainable River Management team within our Water Management Consultancy group who come together to create award winning habitats. The team continues to grow and has now over 30 specialists across the country. We have a reputation for technical excellence, innovation and actively shaping the future of our industry. We are a friendly and approachable team. We enjoy the work we do and have fun while doing it.
We are seeking to expand our award-winning Sustainable River Management team and have several openings available. If you are looking to deliver interesting and significant projects, influence environmental outcomes at the project level and beyond, and work within a strong culture of wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity, this is the place for you.
We are looking for a well-motivated individual to join our dynamic team and help deliver exciting projects. You should have a background in the environmental sector and experience in one or more of the following disciplines: fluvial geomorphology, hydro-ecology, aquatic ecology, wetlands and catchment science.
Our team is close-knit, technically progressive and offers a wonderful opportunity for you to work with like-minded specialists. We operate national and international technical networks to develop and share the very best ideas and practice in our industry. We encourage the production of papers/articles and support our staff in presenting their work at conferences. We support staff in their career progression towards chartership and beyond. This is an exceptional environment for you to develop your technical and commercial skills.
We value flexible working and encourage working from different offices across the region, flexible hours and home working. We also support part time workers who make up an essential component of our team. The role would preferably be based from our Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Oxford or Peterborough offices but you would also work with specialists from our other national office bases as required (including Epsom, Glasgow, Swansea and Warrington).
We work for clients across the UK and overseas, including central government, regulators, water companies, NGOs and local authorities.
Responsibilities
- To support the delivery of a wide range of catchment science projects with a focus on river and wetland function, WFD compliance assessments, habitat design, management and restoration; river realignment and environmental assessment/EIA through collaborative working with other Atkins’ specialists.
- Liaise with internal and external project teams to deliver the best environmental options.
- To work effectively as part of a team and with other professionals (environmental scientists, ecologists, engineers, planners to name but a few) throughout Atkins to provide a consistent and integrated service to our clients.
- To succeed within this role, you must have a flexible, ‘hands-on’, proactive approach to your work. You must be able to work independently as well as part of a wider team.
Requirements
- A degree in a relevant discipline and a relevant post-graduate qualification is essential (with focus on Water/Catchment Management/River processes). The role would require experience in undertaking, and managing delivery of, environmental surveys related to river, wetland and catchment systems. Candidates will need to demonstrate that this includes field experience in different river environments across the UK. The individual should have a proven ability to undertake, and deliver, a thorough technical investigation, presenting findings in a well-structured, concise argument (verbal or written), supported by evidence. Candidates need to have a proven ability to write reports in concise, plain English appropriate to audiences ranging from technical specialists to the general public. The role requires the individual to be numerate, literate and familiar with IT and software appropriate to the tasks undertaken.
- It would be beneficial if the candidate had experience of undertaking a range of environmental assessments. Technically, experience in GIS, Excel, VBA, Python, Publisher would be beneficial along with being a professionally trained, MoRPh surveyor. The candidate should be enthusiastic in developing new ways of processing, analysing and presenting data. Ideally, the candidate would have experience in undertaking Water Framework Directive (WFD) compliance assessments and integrating these into the Environmental Assessment process. A valid driving licence and availability for travel across the UK and occasionally overseas where appropriate would also be beneficial.
The Individual
The candidate should be highly motivated, enthusiastic and proactive; focussed on achieving and delivering technical excellence and sustainable outcomes. The individual would need to be skilled at collaborative working, have good interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively. In addition, they would need to be flexible, adaptable and prepared to take on new challenges. Finally, the candidate would need to have excellent communication, report writing and presentation skills.
What we offer
Atkins recognises that there are many well-qualified people who are looking to further their career, but who cannot commit to full time employment. We support flexible working arrangements and welcome discussions on how we can best accommodate individual requirements. As part of this commitment, we understand the need for a diverse and flexible workforce, where a work-life balance is important. Atkins offers flexible working, where there is no fixed 9 ‘till 5, no need for a 5-day week and no requirement to spend all your working time in the office.
Our IT systems support home-working, 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; Atkins will work for you.
Similarly, Atkins’ 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.
Training
Atkins develops individuals through a portfolio of training and development activities designed to help you make the best of your abilities and talents. These are reviewed with individuals through an annual appraisal process. We actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions such as IEMA, RTPI, LI, ICE, CIEEM, and CIWEM.
Rewards and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary that is regularly tested against other consultants with a default 25-days leave each year plus bank holidays and options to buy or sell leave. We also operate a Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) system for any hours undertaken above contracted hours which can be used throughout the year. To support and safeguard your physical and mental wellbeing we provide an employee assistance programme offering advice and support in times of need.
Our offices run their own sports and social club providing wide ranging activities such as wine tasting, surf trips and a kids’ Christmas party. You will also have access to our Flexible Benefits, where you can opt in to a wide range of benefits to complement your work/life balance: such as medical insurance, gym membership, the cycle-to-work scheme, child care vouchers, charitable giving, additional pension contributions etc. Please refer to our website for details of our full benefits package: https://yourrewarduk.snclavalin.com/.
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.
ATKINS, part of the SNC Lavalin Group, is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.
