Senior Ecologist

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, and they stay with us! We are proud of how we support development and career progression. We continue to promote diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, we welcome all applicants.

We have an exciting new vacancy for an Ecologist / Senior Ecologist to join our Sustainable Operations and Engineering, Environment and Planning Services team.

If you are looking for a role that has a focus on our local environment, and love engaging with equally passionate people, then we want to hear from you!

You will be encouraged to have a voice, be free-thinking and empowered, whilst working in a high-performing team, and have a genuine opportunity to make an impact.

Although based in Bath, this role will require you to travel throughout the Wessex Water region on a regular basis. We also offer flexible working, allowing you to work from home some of the time, if preferred, as well as in our office.

The role

Our in-house Environment and Planning Services Team, which includes the Ecology Team, provides a wide range of services to facilitate project delivery for engineering, construction, and operational projects.

The Ecology Team support a diverse range of projects and enjoy the satisfaction of working on and influencing their projects from outline design through to completion.

Supporting our agreed rolling 5-year programmes of work – all within the Wessex Water region – and working closely with our in-house design teams, our ecologists spend most of their time doing the ecology work they love and enjoy an excellent work / life balance. Supporting fee proposals is not a feature of this role.

In this role, you will manage a portfolio of individual projects from initial design through to construction. You will work closely with design engineers and project managers to minimise the ecological impacts and risks of projects. You will deliver a range of services, including ecological surveys, ecological impact assessment and protected species work, through to mitigation and construction support.

What do I need?

You will have studied a degree in ecology or a similar related subject and typically have at least three to five years’ similar experience in a project delivery focussed role.

You will have:

• be competent in habitat mapping (UKHab) and protected species appraisal surveys.
• have a practical and pragmatic understanding of habitat and protected species mitigation.
• have good ecological report writing skills.
• have an understanding of the UK planning process and legal framework.
• have experience working proactively with engineering teams throughout design and construction.
• have a proactive and flexible approach with a focus on successful project delivery.
• have good IT skills and experience of GIS systems (ArcGIS).

It would be also advantageous if you:

• hold one or more protected species survey licences (great crested newt, bats).
• have experience and preferably hold one or more protected species mitigation licences (great crested newts, badgers, water voles or bats).
• have experience in writing ecological impact assessments and habitat regulations assessments.

Due to the nature of traveling around the Wessex Water region, which in some cases can be very rural, a full clean driving licence is essential. This role includes a car allowance or entitlement to a company car.

What you will get from us

We have a wealth of both financial and non-financial benefits to offer our people and are committed to ensuring we provide an environment that supports health and wellbeing and flexible working.

• Hybrid working.
• Career development.
• Pension – up to 20% combined contribution.
• 25 days’ holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to ten days’ holiday.
• Free local bus service to our office.
• On-site restaurant and coffee house.
• Health benefit package.
• Life assurance (four times your salary).
• Cashback and discounts from over 1,200 retailers.
• Paid volunteering day.
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Health and wellbeing programme
• Support from mental health first aiders

We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer. Applicants who declare they have a disability or have previously served with the Armed Forces, and meet the minimum requirements for the job, will automatically be invited for an interview.

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to assist you in starting your journey with Wessex Water.

If you have what it takes to join this award-winning business and want to be part of our exciting journey and share in that success, then please contact us to find out more.

Sound interesting? Please click APPLY to progress to the next step.

We do not accept CVs from recruitment agencies. We are an equal opportunities employer. You must be able to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK and proof of skills and qualifications gained. Appointment of successful applicant/s will also be subject to receiving suitable references and basic (or where job applicable) other criminal disclosure checks.

We respect and value everyone’s contribution. Wessex Water is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to providing an environment that supports and encourages the many skills, interests, backgrounds and experiences that people from different social groups can bring. We strive to provide a workplace which is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

If you have a medical condition, disability or learning difficulty which could impact on your ability to apply or take part in the recruitment process, please email careers@wessexwater.co.uk. We are dedicated to treating all existing and prospective colleagues fairly and will do everything we can to support you during the application and selection process.

Apply Here