Senior Specialist Scientist (Water Resources)

Job Description

We are recruiting for a full time Senior Specialist Scientist – Water Resources Hydrology on a permanent basis. We are looking for someone to be based in either Edinburgh, Motherwell or Dingwall. Interviews will take place on the 4th & 5th of June.

Here at [Employer hidden], we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take – to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise. That’s why, when you join us as Senior Specialist Scientist, you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful – for our environment, and for your career.

We are seeking an experienced surface water hydrologist for our Senior Specialist Scientist role in the Water Resources Unit, to provide the scientific leadership, authoritative evidence and clear advice that informs and drives effective, targeted action to protect and improve the environment, underpinning sustainable water resources management, water resilience and climate change adaptation across Scotland.

Tasks include:

• To provide technical expertise on surface water resources evidence and advice within [Employer hidden] and externally. This includes influencing strategic approaches to water resources regulation, water resources planning and climate adaptation, and associated evidence research and development.
• Leading and providing expert technical evidence and advice for licence reviews, with a particular focus on delivering Scotland’s river basin management planning improvement objectives.
• Providing expert technical evidence, advice and guidance to internal and external customers on complex and occasionally contentious water resources issues.
• Providing expert technical input into [Employer hidden]’s operational water scarcity incident response service, delivering the weekly water scarcity report and associated communications and enquiries. Outside the summer season, input into the transformation of the water scarcity service, incorporating scientific, innovative and technological advances, to ensure [Employer hidden]’s service is efficient, up to date and fit for our changing climate.
• To lead surface water resources development projects, which may include developing our mapping and modelling approach, facilitating research projects and in-depth evidence analysis to inform future policy and regulations.

Requirements

This is a highly important role within our Data, Evidence & Innovation portfolio, which means you’ll need:

• A degree in an appropriate scientific discipline or equivalent experience.
• A comprehensive understanding of water resources processes, modelling and climate change impacts, and knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements within a Scottish context.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of undertaking hydrological impact and risk assessments, ideally for water resources licensing and minimising the impacts of abstraction.
• A demonstrable ability to effectively deliver projects, including proactive thinking, a solution-focused mentality, strong collaborative skills, the ability to influence and resolve conflict, and effective project management and organisational capability.
• Excellent people and communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex hydrological concepts into clear, accessible messages for non-technical stakeholders and the public, and experience of mentoring and developing staff.
• Full UK driving licence.

Please open the link to the Senior Specialist Scientist role profile link which outlines the core responsibilities and expectations of the role within a defined activity family. Please note the role profile name may be different to the job title being advertised.

Benefits

We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
• Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
• Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Progressive Family Friendly policies
• Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.

Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

About [Employer hidden]

[Employer hidden] is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer. Passionately Purposeful about Scotland’s environment – and your career.

We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis. Please ensure that you include all relevant information when you apply.

We support flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy balance between career and homelife. This includes working part time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely. As a flexible first employer we are open to having conversations about flexible working arrangements that work for you and [Employer hidden] from day 1 of your employment with us.

We are proud to be a 'Disability Confident' employer and will work to identify and implement reasonable adjustments and equipment to support you in the role that you do.

Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.

For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotland check.

Contact Information

If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact [Employer hidden]’s Recruitment Team at [contact hidden]