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 aquatic ecologist, influencing environmental outcomes for our freshwater systems at the project level and beyond? We are now seeking to expand our team of aquatic ecologists within Atkins’ 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 an aquatic 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 and see 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.
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.
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 Atkins 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; 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.
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, Atkins 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 and managing freshwater focused ecological impact assessments for a diverse client and project portfolio. You will also:
- support in the delivery of a wide range of other environmental assessments (e.g., preliminary ecological appraisals, Water Framework Directive compliance reporting and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments) on nationally important infrastructure projects in collaboration with other Atkins’ specialists and multi-disciplinary teams;
- undertake technical reporting and consultations for a wide range of projects, co-ordinating inputs from colleagues;
- provide support to the national aquatic ecology team and wider business as we to grow our environmental assessment capability;
- support water resource investigations through the delivery of hydroecological assessments; and
- support the team with winning work from internal and external clients.
Requirements
Ideally someone with experience of undertaking a range of environmental assessments focused on freshwater aquatic habitats and species, with knowledge of programme, resource and financial management. A degree in a relevant discipline is essential and a post-graduate qualification desirable (with focus on Aquatic Ecology/Water-Catchment Management), with ideally 5 year’s consultancy experience. You 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 familiar with IT and software appropriate to the tasks undertaken (e.g. GIS, Excel, Publisher). Experience of specifying, undertaking and managing the delivery of river and wetland habitat / aquatic ecological walkover and species surveys is desirable, as is MoRPh survey accreditation.
You will be highly motivated, enthusiastic, proactive and focussed on achieving and delivering technical excellence. Skilled at collaborative working, have good interpersonal skills, be a great communicator and be able to generate innovative outcomes to challenges and follow them through. In addition, you will need to be flexible, adaptable and prepared to take on new challenges.
What we offer
Atkins is committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We have a commitment to identify and recruit from the most diverse talent pool and develop new and improved ways to sponsor talent from underrepresented groups. We have a range of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion network groups encouraging an inclusive workplace where all employees can flourish, including Embrace (supporting minority ethnicities), Enable (supporting visible and invisible disabilities) Equilibrium (for LGBT+ colleagues), Menopause at Work, Neurodiversity (for variations in learning, attention and other mental functions), ParentNet, and Empower (providing professional support by and for women).
Here at Atkins, well-being is at the forefront of everything we do. We recognise that there is more to life than work and that making time for the other things is crucial for health and happiness. Therefore, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish times will help with this, we are more than happy to discuss individual requirements (and to keep these requirements flexible going forward). We utilise a paid overtime and TOIL system, which also helps individuals to make time for the things that are important to them and prevents staff burn out during the busy season.” 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; 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. Development plans are reviewed with individuals throughout the year putting you in the driving seat. You will also be part of our global Technical Networks, which provide a flow of technically orientated information and ideas through the company. Atkins will support you in your professional development, whether with CIEEM, IEMA, CIWEM or others, we support staff in achieving and maintaining membership of relevant institutions, this includes paying your annual membership and providing access to training.
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 some or sell of that leave.
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 activities such wine tasting, as surf trips, and a kids’ Christmas party. You will also have access to our Flexible Benefits, where you can opt into a wide range of benefits to complement your work/life balance: such as medical insurance, gym membership, the cycle-to-work scheme, childcare 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 recognise 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 are interested to discuss how we can accommodate individual requirements. 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
