Water Engineer Nature Based Solutions

Water Engineer Nature Based Solutions

Salary: £25,047 - £25,676

Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Full time, Fixed term contract until March 2025

Closing Date: 19 October 2022

Interview dates: 8/9 November 2022

Our clientsare looking for a professionally qualified water engineer to join their Land and Water team at a very exciting time. For the next two years theyhave a broad range of projects funded to create and restore water dependent habitats across Shropshire. Theyneed someone who is a passionate advocate of nature-based solutions for water management, has a robust practical approach to designing schemes and is keen to develop their practice. The postholder will bring key technical skills to the design of wildlife ponds, wetlands, sustainable drainage schemes, river restoration projects and other habitat creation projects.

This is an opportunity to work from conception, design, consenting, construction, completion to final handover. Projects are designed to utilise nature driven processes to address poor water quality, low flows, flooding, loss of water dependant habitat and species. Project types include Natural Flood Management schemes, use of wetlands to treat water quality and creation of new ponds to compensate following development harm.

Theyhave secured funding from Severn Trent Water (STW) and are working with the Environment Agency and other partners in multiple catchments to deliver biodiversity enhancements to ameliorate the impacts of habitat loss, poor water quality, abstraction and low flows by building ecological resilience and supporting base flow function and groundwater re-charge. The key outputs of the postholder will be the delivery of technical support in respect of the design and consenting of an extensive suite of habitat improvement works that meet the aims of ecological resilience in regard to the water environment.

The role may include the delivery of large-scale riparian floodplain enhancement, in channel features, meander reconnections and riparian woodland management, with in addition sustainable drainage schemes in rural and urban areas of Shropshire and Telford.

Working as part of the Land & Water team you will be under the direct supervision of the Head of Land & Water who will support you through the process of identifying sites, developing scheme concepts, gaining permissions and navigating Partnership delivery. You will also be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team that delivers a range of habitat improvement works and land management advice.

The post-holder will, in partnership with a range of organisations and contractors, support the delivery of a suite of riparian and wetland habitat improvements with a focus on mitigating the biodiversity impacts of over abstraction, development impact, poor water quality and modification of natural riparian and drainage networks.

Theyre looking for you to have:

• Relevant qualifications in water engineering mechanical, environmental engineering or possibly a geography-based qualification with professional additional learning in engineering such as post-graduate courses. Degree or HND level acceptable.
  

• A strong background in understanding the pressures on riverine systems, water resources and catchment management.
  
• A sound understanding of wetland & riparian hydrology and catchment management.
  
• Good IT abilities including MS Office and experience in CAD, and other water engineering software packages.
  
• Ability to produce designs that meet requirements for consenting and environmental permitting purposes.
  
• Proven experience of project management
  

• Some experience of GIS mapping experience
  
  

Please note a Full Driving Licence and access to your own vehicle is essential to the role.

This post is suited to someone who is able to communicate technical information in a straightforward and accessible manner to a broad range of participants. They will be organised and able to manage delivery of multiple contractors delivered projects. They will be able to negotiate effectively with farmers and landowners and wider members of the Partnership.

About Them

They havea vision of a thriving natural world, where Shropshire's wildlife and natural habitats play a valued role in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, and people are inspired and empowered to take action for nature. Theycombine projects across Shropshire (including Telford & Wrekin) with advocacy and campaigning to restore nature and to engage people. Theymanage over 40 nature reserves and have almost 50 staff, 300 volunteers, and over 9000 members. They arean autonomous charity, but theyare increasingly working collectively, as part of The Wildlife Trusts (TWT), to ensure that our local actions have a national impact and help to address global issues.

Theyvalue courage, respect, integrity, trust and responsibility. Whilst theyare passionate in promoting their aims, theyare not judgemental and are inclusive. Theywant their people to be as diverse as nature, so theyparticularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within their sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. Theyare committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.

As a Disability Confident employer, theyare committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let themknow if you require any adjustments to make their recruitment process more accessible.