Biodiversity Specialist (Ecology / INNS)

Closing Date
2025-10-31

Job Title: Biodiversity Specialists

Location: Flexible (within our region) – site and home based

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: circa £48,000 (depending on skills and experience)

We’re excited to announce five brand new Biodiversity Specialist roles within our Environment & Innovation team. These positions offer a unique opportunity to help restore nature across Southern Water’s region, covering Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. We’re building a dynamic new team led by the Environment Strategy Manager, responsible for driving environmental ambition and delivery across the business. This team has responsibility for our Biodiversity and INNS (Invasive Non-Native Species) programmes. Our wider Environment & Innovation team is at the forefront of Southern Water’s drive to enhance and protect the environment. Deploying the latest innovative solutions and working in partnership with our customers and stakeholders, the team takes a holistic approach to managing water quality and flow across the region. Currently delivering a £50million portfolio which rapidly expands to over £2 billion over the next 10 years. This is a fast‑paced team that is now expanding to continue to deliver a larger programme of sustainable and innovative solutions.

Job Overview

These roles will support the Principal and Senior Biodiversity Specialists in identifying, planning, and delivering practical, site‑based biodiversity projects across the business. They form part of our in‑house team working to meet Southern Water’s AMP8 Biodiversity Performance Commitment and deliver the INNS programme under the Water Industry Natural Environment Programme (WINEP).

Responsibilities

• The role holder will collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders including NGOs, partner organisations, and community groups to implement biodiversity and INNS projects across our sites and reservoirs.
• They will conduct ecological and INNS surveys across our estate as part of a rolling programme, ensuring accurate mapping and clear data recording.
• They will support the implementation of INNS control measures and biosecurity programmes.
• They will assist in delivering training initiatives to promote understanding of biodiversity and INNS across the company.

About You

• You will have a strong background in nature conservation and practical project delivery.
• We also welcome applicants with experience in outdoor recreation, visitor services, fisheries, or recreational boating.
• Demonstrable expertise in ecological and botanical monitoring, biodiversity enhancement, and terrestrial/aquatic INNS management and biosecurity.
• Experience delivering projects through contractors and consultancy teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including working with environmental partnerships and volunteers.
• A practical, solutions‑focused approach to problem‑solving.
• A highly motivated individual who can work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Confident in using Microsoft Office, GIS, and other relevant digital applications.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly (weekly) across the region for site visits and meetings.

Benefits

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Full funded eye tests
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job‑related qualifications
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
• Cycle to work scheme

Join our Environment & Innovation team and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment. Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

Privacy Statement

Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.