Job Summary:
SEAAT are a multifunctional team undertaking terrestrial and freshwater ecology, water quality and fishery surveys and investigations. Our work provides evidence that enables delivery of environmental outcomes to place whilst meeting statutory and national requirements.
We are looking to recruit an experienced biologist to help us deliver our freshwater ecological monitoring programme. Responsibilities will include the following:
- planning and delivering specialist biological monitoring including analysis of macroinvertebrate samples, macrophyte monitoring, pollution incident investigation, Water Framework Directive (WFD) investigations, as well as the provision of specialist advice.
- undertake data interpretation and reporting, using classification tools, to provide good quality, timely data and information to support local and national planning and decision making.
- update and maintain quality assured information on relevant databases.
Applying for this post:
The following categories will be used to assess the quality of applications both at sift and interview. Please read the whole of the Role Description to ascertain at what level this information needs to be presented.
- Demonstrable macro-invertebrate identification skills
- Managing Resources (non-financial and/or financial)
- Forward Thinking
- Analysing and Judgement
- Collaborating with others
- Advising and Influencing
Qualifications
Other information relevant to the job:
You will hold a degree or equivalent in biology, ecology or environmental science. You must have experience in the identification of freshwater macro-invertebrates to species level, macrophyte surveys and writing reports. Ideally, you will also have experience of diatom analysis, investigating pollution incidents, and conducting WFD investigations.
Some experience of chemical water quality, fisheries and/or marine monitoring would also be desirable within this multi-skilled team.
A full UK driving licence is required as monitoring sites are located throughout South East Wales, as is the flexibility to occasionally work unsociable hours where necessary.
Your time will be divided between the office, laboratory and outdoor environments.
The field work element of this role is often physically demanding and you will need to be able to swim.
Job Purpose:
A member of a multidisciplinary team that provides environmental monitoring, assessment and reporting.
Support the planning and implementation of monitoring and assessment programmes and contributing to reporting programmes.
Deliver environmental monitoring programmes (including freshwater and marine chemical water quality, ecology, fisheries and terrestrial species and habitats) by leading on survey and monitoring activity including, when necessary incident response, planning and scheduling of work programmes and delivery.
As a technical monitoring officer in a particular monitoring discipline, the post-holder will support delivery of environmental monitoring programmes through analysis, interpretation and reporting of samples and or environmental data.
Support the Team Leader in planning, co-coordinating and tracking delivery of monitoring programmes, as well as liaising with NRW Analytical Services, OMAR teams and other place-based teams on sampling requirements.
Key Job Accountabilities:
You will;
· Undertake ad hoc and routine system administration, data quality assurance, analysis and reporting.
· Provide specialist, monitoring technical advice and guidance to internal and external customers, from a range of sources; helping ensure that decisions are based on sound technical judgement, in line with current legislation and best practice. Produce technical reports analysing and interpreting national and local datasets for operational work, public enquiries, court appeals etc.
· Help ensure that NRW’s monitoring data is collected and stored to the quality standards prescribed by European and UK legislation and by NRW policy.
· Assist Senior EAO and TL in planning, scheduling and tracking the annual survey and monitoring programmes, with regards to sampling activities.
· Advise on specialist non-routine monitoring/survey work and the analysis of data including input on delivery of operational measures.
· Contribute to delivery of survey and monitoring programmes.
· Guide, advise and support internal and external customers, ensuring decisions are made on sound technical data and information.
· Help resolve local issues by providing scientific and technical advice/interpretation of monitoring data.
· Assist in the development, implementation of new monitoring and reporting methods, including collaboration with partner organisations at a local level.
· Respond to requests for information relating to monitoring data, within specified deadlines.
· Maintain and procure specialist sampling equipment.
Key Job Qualifications or Knowledge:
You will have;
· Experience of analysing samples, field-based monitoring / surveillance, interpreting and reporting on environmental data and practical knowledge of a wide range of monitoring activities and methodologies.
· Expertise in terrestrial ecology, freshwater ecology, water quality fisheries or earth science.
· Excellent report writing skills and knowledge of relevant legislation.
· Experience of monitoring data management systems, as well as practical understanding of technical monitoring solutions and practices.
· Good analytical skills including statistics, and knowledge of data handling including GIS.
· An excellent communicator with good organisational skills.
· Ability to undertake fieldwork in sometimes physically demanding environments.
