Freshwater Ecologist - 10263

1
Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds , York
LEEDS NLS Olympia House, Gelderd Road, Leeds, LS12 6DD, Foss House
Staff Grade 3
Fixed Term
Full Time
Science
£22,792 (pro-rata)
We are looking to recruit a freshwater ecologist to join the Analysis and Reporting Teams based at either Leeds or York to help deliver our ecological monitoring programmes, in terms of both sampling and analysis.

The work of the teams include freshwater macroinvertebrate sampling and analysis, macrophyte surveys, lake surveys, fish population surveys, river habitat surveys and the collection of continuous water quality data. The various data collected will be used to assess and monitor changes in the environment to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other drivers.
The Analysis and Reporting Teams monitor and assesses the environment, providing a wide range of information on water quality, fish populations and ecological status to client teams across the Environment Agency and to external organisations.

This information is used to assess the status of our environment, to direct and inform our management actions and to monitor the environmental response to our own and others' activities.
Ideally educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, essential experience for this role is the ability to confidently and accurately undertake macroinvertebrate sample analysis to at least family level.

Desirable for this role would include experience of:

• ecological fieldwork

• analysing and reporting ecological data, including the use of WFD classification tools

• pollution incident investigation

• relevant database systems (data entry/extraction)

• full UK driving license

Other key requirements for this post include excellent time management, team working and computer skills as well as good attention to detail and the ability to deliver against deadlines.
Closing Date: 21st April 2019 at 23:55 hours

Successful candidates must be prepared to undertake a variety of fieldwork anywhere within Yorkshire area when required and to also undertake any Health and Safety or technical training necessary to develop in the role.

The posts will involve a mixture of field, office and laboratory work. There will be significant focus on freshwater macroinvertebrate identification and your application should readily demonstrate your experience and ability in this area.

For further information or an informal discussion about the role please contact Simon Williams on 07500 918970.

21/04/2019, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
until 29 May 2020
Achieves Results
The team has to complete work by specific deadlines, sometimes at short notice, and the successful candidate must be able to contribute effectively to this. Flexibility and a willingness to support colleagues are essential.
Data and Information Management
The team uses data it holds to inform management actions and assess impacts on the environment. It is essential that the data it holds is recorded accurately, extracted correctly and used appropriately.
Health Safety & Wellbeing
Many of the field and laboratory activities the team undertake have health and safety risks associated with them which are mitigated by following safe working practices. It is vitally important that the successful candidate fully embraces and adheres to any health and safety requirements of the role.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.