Aquatic (fresh water) Ecologist Consultant to Associate Director

Aquatic (fresh water) Ecologist Consultant to Associate Director

Paul Coulson April 10th 2025

Aquatic (fresh water) Ecologist Consultant to Associate Director

As an Aquatic Ecologist at RSK Biocensus, you can expect to get involved with the delivery of elements of field surveys, assessment, tender and report writing, and project management. Our projects cover everything from small headland streams down to larger lowland rivers and estuaries and out into coastal waters. We also have projects involving small ponds, larger lakes, and reservoirs. Project types range from large infrastructure projects requiring baseline surveys, monitoring and ECoW to river and lake restoration and enhancement schemes. We also undertake a range of R&D projects both for clients and to provide training opportunities for our staff and develop new knowledge or survey approaches which can benefit our clients.

We are particularly interested in candidates with water quality and hydrology experience but also keen to hear from people with experience in aquatic habitat assessments and biota surveys (fish, macroinvertebrates, diatoms, macrophytes, protected species and invasive non-native species) or aquatic habitat improvements and restoration.

Please note that this advert is for all grades from consultant (c.2-3 years relevant experience) up to associate director (c.15+ years relevant experience). The qualifications and experience listed below are expected to vary significantly between grades accordingly.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree in a relevant discipline
• Relevant professional experience since graduation
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Species specific personal licences (e.g. white-clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel) are desirable
• Membership with a relevant professional body such as CIWEM, IFM or CIEEM (and be, or be working towards, chartership for principal grades or above)
• Experience in at least some of the following survey/project types:
  • Water quality sampling / monitoring
  • Macroinvertebrate sampling (e.g. kick sampling)
  • Flow gauging / hydrology surveys
  • SOAF / CSO assessments
  • Macrophyte surveys
  • Electrofishing surveys
  • Seine netting surveys
  • Fish rescues and translocations
  • Aquatic habitat assessments
  • RHS/ RCS / MoRPh
  • Impact assessments including WFDa, EcIA and HRA (particularly for more senior grades)
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation such as WFD, SAFFA and Eels Regs

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertaking (assisting or leading depending on experience) aquatic field surveys and delivering high quality data
• Technical reporting and tender writing commensurate with experience
• Managing small projects (under supervision); assisting senior colleagues in managing the projects that RSK Biocensus undertakes, including managing project finances, assisting in the production of deliverables in line with the client's expectations, and ensuring deliverables are submitted on time and to a high quality
• Developing your professional knowledge and skills; maintaining a personal CPD record and an up to date professional CV
• Actively using the PDR process to set objectives for the year ahead that develop your skills and competencies in line with the team's needs and your interests and aptitude
• Acting at all times with professional integrity, and exercising sound professional judgment within (and recognising the limits of) your competence
• Working in compliance with our SHEQ Management System
• Building relationships with team members of other RSK departments, particularly those which have a close working relationship with RSK Biocensus

Salary and Benefits:

• Regular career training and development
• Flexible working options
• Access to multiple high profile ecologists considered leading experts / authorities in their respective fields
• Award winning Employee Assistance Programme
• A flexible benefits programme including the option to buy additional holidays, health cash plan and discounted gym membership