Ecologist - Environmental Monitoring Officer – Freshwater and Intertidal

Number of jobs available 2 Region East of England City/Town Ipswich Building/Site Iceni House Grade Staff Grade 4 Post Type Permanent Working Pattern Full Time Role Type Environment & Sustainability, Operational Delivery, Science, Knowledge & Information Management Salary Minimum £29,706 Job description We seek experienced Ecologists (Environmental Monitoring Officers) able to assist with delivering our freshwater and marine programs of work.

The roles will include field based ecological survey work (including investigation of pollution incidents), laboratory analysis of ecological samples, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

You’ll have a good understanding of how water quality and quantity impact on ecological communities and an ability to communicate this information clearly to a range of audiences.

You will have experience of freshwater and/or marine monitoring (in particular estuarine environments for saltmarsh, seagrass and macroalgae assessment) and a willingness to develop your skills across both areas of the work.

We need someone with:

• Proven practical experience and familiarity with fieldwork and laboratory work.
• An ability to analyse, interpret and report ecology data.
• An ability to provide training and assistance to junior staff members.
• Experience of carrying out aquatic macrophyte and/or RHS surveys (ideally accredited in one or both) and/or experience of undertaking saltmarsh, seagrass and opportunistic macroalgae surveys with familiarity of other marine monitoring techniques
• Experience in investigating the biological impact of pollution incidents.
• Sound understanding of biotic and abiotic interactions.
• Good communication skills.
• Knowledge of and confidence in liaising with internal and external teams and partners.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

For more info on working with us see https://environmentagencycareers.co.uk/ The team The team is responsible for ensuring chemistry, ecology and fishery monitoring programs collect the information we need for a variety of legislative, national, and local requirements. The team is comprised of officers skilled at monitoring fieldwork, laboratory work, and with an expertise in assessing this multi-functional monitoring data and turning it into evidence. This evidence informs the wider business and ultimately helps underpin environmental improvements. Experience/skills required Ideally you will be qualified to at least degree level or have a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant discipline (e.g. ecology, environmental sciences, biology).

Essential: You must be trained in and have experience of:

• Identification of macroinvertebrates and/or plants in either a freshwater or intertidal setting.
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Ecological survey work (such as macrophyte surveys, river habitat surveys, saltmarsh surveys)
• Using Excel and Word.

You need to be able to work effectively on your own and within a team and be able to produce clear written work.

A full UK driving licence is essential.

You will be willing to undertake specialist training when necessary and there are fully funded opportunities to develop further academic/professional qualifications.

The candidate pack and generic role profile should be read along with the advert to understand the key accountabilities and skills needed. Contact and additional information In East Anglia we want to create a diverse workplace where individuals are respected, valued and listened to. We’re all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where we grow and learn together.

It is our ambition to champion diversity through building a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.

We offer a fantastic benefits package including an attractive salary, flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and an award-winning Pension Fund. See the candidate pack for more details.

If you have any questions, please do contact Mark Ginns who will be happy to help via: mark.ginns@environment-agency.gov.uk or on 07879 432583

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