Principal Aquatic Ecologist

Job Description

Job SummaryAt AECOM, were delivering a better world. We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether its improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise and digital solutions to our work in transportation, buildings, water, the environment and new energy. Were one global team47,000 strongdriven by a common purpose to delivera better world. Here, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. AECOM has a Freedom to Grow policy that celebrates flexible working; if you are interested in joining us, we should be happy to discuss a working arrangement to suit you We are looking for an experienced Principal Aquatic Ecologist to join the Water Environment and Aquatic Ecology Team at AECOM. We have multi-disciplinary offices throughout the UK, and you would play a key role in managing and providing technical expertisefor new and existing projects, and in the continued growth and development of our successful team. The successful applicant will have a good understanding of many areas of freshwater ecology including biological water quality and WFD parameters, fisheries ecology, survey design, mitigation, and reporting, and the wider consideration of aquatic ecology inPlanning and Impact Assessment. They will be able to analyse and interpret survey data and provide robust technical opinion based on this, including impact assessment for EcIA.You will join a growing, friendly, and highly motivated team, and contribute to a diverse range of projects; baseline data collection for major infrastructure and utility projects, habitat restoration projects for regulators and the private sector, pollutionresponse surveys, and water quality investigations, etc. A key responsibility will be to co-ordinate the activity of junior team members in the field and laboratories, author, and review reports, develop monitoring strategies, and provide specialist input to multi-disciplinary teams. The appointee would work closelywith the Aquatic Team leader in the Nottingham office and our UK Aquatic Ecology, Water Environment, and multi-disciplinary teams to support a coherent nationwide approach providing expert advice to our clients.We have excellent career progression opportunities within AECOM and working with the Water Environment Team management you will have the opportunity to influence how the team continues to grow and develop. Technically you will have a good understanding of alldisciplines of freshwater ecology to potentially include hydromorphology and fish passage, fish ecology, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes and algae in freshwater habitats.Role Responsibilities:

• You would contribute to projects including aquatic ecology components for a range of clients by:
• Playing an important role in a team of multi-skilled aquatic ecologists in AECOMs nationwide offices and laboratories;
• Supporting the Team Leader with business development;
• Providing technical leadership in the UK for aquatic ecology in your area of expertise;
• Providing aquatic ecology input into EcIA, planning, mitigation, and multi-disciplinary projects;
• Mentoring and line managing junior staff;
• Authoring and reviewing technical reports, working with multi-disciplinary teams to provide specialist input;
• Developing data analysis and processing;
• The production of Ecological Impact Assessment documents in line with CIEEM guidelines;
• Managing aquatic ecology input into projects, including survey design and costing;
• Supporting the wider environmental business.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience of ecological impact assessment (EcIA/EIA);
• Experience of WFD compliance assessment;
• Understanding of industry standard monitoring techniques and analyses for aquatic ecology, including macroinvertebrates, fish surveys, etc., and associated consenting/permitting requirements;
• Understanding of industry standard WFD-compliant monitoring techniques and analyses for macroinvertebrates, macrophytes, and/or phytobenthos;
• Familiar with legislation relating to the aquatic environment and its implementation, particularly the Water Framework Directive;
• Good personal time management, communication skills with internal and external clients and team members locally and nationally;
• Willingness to learn new skills and contribute to nationally significant infrastructure projects, working with our multi-disciplinary teams;

Additional desirable but not essential attributes for the role:

• Experience of surveying and identifying fish and other aquatic flora and fauna;
• River Corridor / River Habitat Survey (RHS);
• Experience of requirements for fish passage improvements, including fish pass and screening design, installation, and monitoring;
• Experience of HRA and Appropriate Assessment;
• Wider Ecology survey experience, e.g., Phase 1 habitat survey, protected species etc.;
• Specific practical skills relevant to the role, e.g., RYA Powerboat Handling Level 2, 4x4 driving, etc.;
• First Aid at Work qualification;
• CSCS Card.

Preferred Qualifications

• A higher degree in Aquatic Ecology or related discipline;
• Previous commercial and/or regulatory experience in an aquatic ecology role

The value of diversity and inclusion is readily apparent in creating a collaborative, supportive working environment and in delivering innovative, contextually appropriate projects. It is very important to both what we do and the way we do it. We welcome applicantsfrom a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. The important thing for us is that you can demonstrate that you can effectively fulfil the needs of the role. If you feel you can fulfil the requirements of the role, but there are other factors that aremaking you hesitant in applying, we would still like to hear from you and see if we can work together to overcome any challenges. Your benefits will include: Helping our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance is important to us. If you join AECOM, as well as receiving a competitive salary, youll also have the opportunity to explore flexible working arrangements. Core benefits include 25 days annual leave,company pension scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance and one paid annual professional institution membership fee. You c