Consultant Aquatic Ecologist

AECOM, Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Company Description

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world. We’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Are you passionate about protecting, enhancing and restoring the aquatic environment? We are looking for an experienced Consultant Aquatic Ecologist to join the Aquatic Ecology Team at AECOM. Our offices are multi‑disciplinary throughout the UK, including Leeds, Nottingham, Basingstoke, Dublin and Glasgow, and you will play a key role in providing technical expertise and undertaking surveys for new and existing projects, as well as in the continued growth and development of our team. You will join a growing, friendly, and highly motivated team and contribute to a diverse range of projects, including the Environment Agency and Natural England, water companies, renewable energy projects, nationally significant infrastructure projects, and many others. We deliver a diverse range of projects, such as baseline data collection and monitoring for major infrastructure and utility projects, fish passage and weir removal projects, fish rescue and translocation, water quality monitoring for regulators and the private sector, pollution response surveys, drought monitoring – the list goes on!

Responsibilities

• Collect and/or process freshwater macroinvertebrate samples in the laboratory, undertake benthic macroinvertebrate surveys, assist with fieldwork and sample collection (potentially macroinvertebrate, macrophytes, phytobenthos, fisheries, water quality etc.)
• Assist with the production of Environmental Impact Assessment documents in line with CIEEM guidelines.
• Support with data entry, analysis, and processing for freshwater projects, contributing to survey reports and ecological appraisals. Contribute to desk studies and literature reviews, data capture, collation and presentation.
• Deliver consultancy and advisory services to a high level of technical quality, prioritising safety and security in all that you do.
• Work with other environmental specialists and disciplines on important projects, large and small.

Benefits

Become part of our dynamic Nature business, which boasts around 230 professionals across the UK & Ireland, including national and global leaders in impact assessment, habitat creation, freshwater ecology, ecosystem restoration, enhancement, and management. At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward‑thinking environment where your contributions are valued. Enjoy core and personalized benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, such as career development opportunities, a flexible hybrid working model, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as aquatic ecology, environmental science, etc., with previous experience in aquatic ecology.
• Knowledge of current environmental legislation, including the Water Framework Directive.
• Experience of aquatic ecology surveys – fish, macroinvertebrates, crayfish, macrophytes, riparian mammals, River Habitat Survey, etc.
• Member of CIEEM (or similar professional body), or eligible to qualify for this status.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you meet some of the requirements or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you! All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please contact ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com for reasonable accommodation or to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

Additional Information

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more. For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn (Melissa Moody).

Contact & Metadata

ReqID: J10139598

Business Line: Environment

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India

Career Area: Science

Work Location Model: Hybrid