Graduate Aquatic Ecologist

Job Description

AECOMs nationwide Water Environment team is expanding, and we are looking to recruit a Graduate Aquatic Ecologist to work out of our Nottingham or Basingstoke office (or Leeds). The Graduate Aquatic Ecologist will support the delivery of consultancy and advisory services, including a wide range of fieldwork and site work opportunities, to both internal and external clients to a high level of technical quality and to programme and budget. The individual we are looking for will be an ambitious team player with a strong aptitude for client care, project delivery and contributing to the development of innovative, cost effective solutions in a working environment that is collaborative, stimulating and demanding. At AECOM Aquatic ecologists work with architects, engineers, planners, economists and other environmental specialists on important projects. Together we provide the full range of ecological services including habitat and species surveys, impact assessment, advice on biodiversity mitigation, offsetting and enhancement, and management planning for biodiversity. This role would involve processing aquatic freshwater invertebrate samples in the laboratory, developing the skills to analyse to family/species level and estimating abundance, organising and undertaking benthic macroinvertebrate surveys in freshwaters, assisting with fieldwork and sample collection (potentially macroinvertebrate, phytobenthos, fisheries, water quality etc) for freshwater projects when required, Assisting with data entry, analysis and processing (potentially macroinvertebrate, phytobenthos, water quality etc) for freshwater projects, contributing to survey reports and ecological appraisals and liaising with project managers and clients. To be successful in this role youll need to be ambitious team player with a strong aptitude for client care and project delivery. Were looking for someone who is self-reliant, thrives on challenges and is happy to work closely with colleagues in other disciplines. Youll be supporting the delivery of consultancy and advisory services - to a high level of technical quality, to programme, and to budget. You will operate ethically and with integrity, while prioritising safety and security in all that you do. Ecology is part of AECOMs Environment business which provides environmental management services for feasibility, impact analysis and operational compliance as well as remediation, restoration and re-use of impacted property. AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organisations in more than 150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, we connect knowledge and experience across our global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. From high-performance buildings and infrastructure, to resilient communities and environments, to stable and secure nations, our work is transformative, differentiated and vital. Job Responsibilities

Supporting the delivery of existing and new contracts for the collection and analysis of aquatic survey data including fish, macroinvertebrates, crayfish, macrophytes, riparian mammals, River Habitat Survey etc.;

Opportunities to assist with a wider range of terrestrial ecology surveys for the right candidate;

Working as part of the existing network of AECOM ecologists and water scientists within the UK and Ireland;

Communicating effectively with their line manager, project managers, clients, project teams and other members of the Aquatic Ecology and Water Environment team in person, by telephone, email, letters and reports;

Good knowledge of current environmental legislation, including the Water Framework Directive;

Compliance with internal business management procedures, including in relation to health and safety and technical quality of all advice and outputs;

Contribute to maintaining internal and external client relationships, including providing urgent ecological response and / or advice as required;

Collaborating with colleagues in wider AECOM teams on multi-disciplinary projects;

Assisting with other administrative duties which add value to the management and development of the team.

The candidate will have strong behavioural competencies with respect to client care, collaborative working, personal responsibility, decision making and teamwork. Job Requirements

A degree (preferably MSc or higher, but BSc considered) in Ecology or related discipline (Freshwater Biology, [Marine] Ecology/Zoology) would be an advantage, as would previous commercial and/or regulatory experience.

The successful candidate will understand some or all the following: aquatic ecology and surveys such as fish, macroinvertebrates, crayfish, macrophytes, riparian mammals and/or River Habitat Survey.

Good Microsoft Office skills essential such as Word, Excel & PowerPoint

Ability to structure & prioritise work effectively through close cooperation with the team as a whole

Solid attention to detail

Strong numeracy

Ability to communicate effectively to internal and external clients, both verbally & in writing with the confidence to engage with a variety of people (clients, colleagues, stakeholders and subcontractors alike) and the aptitude to rationally explain, explore and discuss technical issues and capture feedback

Self-motivation, enthusiasm, hard working with ambition and drive

Excellent research and report writing skills.

Ability to work as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues, client and stakeholders as appropriate and independently without losing initiative & focus.

Ability to work flexibly under pressure, responding to changing project and programme demands.

Previous experience of working in a consultancy environment/commerical or regulatory would be beneficial, including work placements or relevant voluntary experience

Desired

Member of CIEEM, IFM, CIWEM or similar professional body or eligible to qualify for this status

Water Safety Training

First Aid qualification

A full driving licence would be beneficial as the role will involve travel for site surveys and transportation of site equipment

Person Specification (Behavioural Attributes) We are looking for someone who is self-reliant, thrives on challenges and is happy to collaborate with colleagues in other disciplines. Whilst there may also be opportunity to work from other offices on occasion the successful candidate will be expected to live locally or be prepared to relocate close to the office in which they are based. The suitable candidate wi