Project Ecologist

Project Ecologist - Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Programme (Yorkshire)
This could be an excellent opportunity to develop your career as a Project Ecologist, supporting an important programme of continuous water quality monitoring across river catchments within the Yorkshire Water region.
As SOCOTEC continues to grow its environmental services, we have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and practically minded Project Ecologist to join our Environment & Safety Division. The role will work closely with SOCOTEC’s Flow and Water Quality team, providing ecological support for the installation and operation of continuous water quality monitoring equipment.
The primary focus of the role will be to undertake ecological site assessments to identify suitable locations for the installation of monitoring equipment, while identifying and managing ecological constraints associated with the proposed works.
This is a predominantly field-based role and would suit an ecologist with previous experience working within an ecological consultancy who is looking to develop their experience in the delivery of practical ecological support to water industry projects.
The tasks you will undertake will include (but are not limited to):
Undertake ecological site assessments at proposed monitoring locations across river catchments within the Yorkshire Water region.
Identify suitable locations for the installation of continuous water quality monitoring equipment, taking account of ecological sensitivities and constraints.
Identify habitats and features with the potential to support protected or notable species and determine where further survey or ecological controls may be required.
Provide clear, proportionate ecological recommendations to enable monitoring equipment to be installed while avoiding or minimising impacts on habitats and protected species.
Work closely with the Flow and Water Quality team to help refine installation locations where ecological constraints are identified.
Undertake ecological surveys and checks appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposed installation works.
Provide ecological supervision or watching briefs during installation works where required.
Identify situations where proposed works may require additional ecological assessment, specialist survey, mitigation or licensing.
Produce concise, accurate site records, ecological constraints information and recommendations for installation teams.
Maintain accurate field notes, photographs and project records to professional consultancy standards.
Manage an allocated programme of site assessments and ensure ecological information is provided within project timescales.
Work safely and independently at river and watercourse locations in accordance with project RAMS and safe systems of work.
Liaise effectively with project managers, installation teams and other ecologists throughout the programme.
We are looking for a proactive, reliable and practical ecologist who is comfortable undertaking fieldwork independently and applying ecological knowledge to real-world site constraints.
You will ideally have:
A degree or equivalent qualification in Ecology, Biological Sciences, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
Previous professional experience within an ecological consultancy, appropriate to Assistant or Project Ecologist level.
Experience undertaking habitat and ecological site assessments.
A good working knowledge of common UK habitats and protected and notable species.
An understanding of the ecological constraints associated with works in and around rivers and other watercourses.
The ability to identify potential ecological constraints and provide practical and proportionate recommendations.
Good field identification and ecological survey skills.
Accurate field recording, data management and report-writing skills.
The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a wider multidisciplinary project team.
Good organisational skills and the ability to manage a programme of field visits.
An understanding of health and safety requirements associated with ecological fieldwork.
A full UK driving licence, due to the field-based nature of the role and geographical spread of sites.
Experience of riparian ecology, aquatic habitats, protected species associated with watercourses, ecological watching briefs or water-industry projects would be advantageous but is not essential.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No