Pennon Group Plc
Aquatic Ecologist
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Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.
We’re proud to be recognised as a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Role Purpose
The Aquatic Ecologist provides specialist ecological expertise to support water resource planning, operations, environmental compliance, and regulatory programmes across the company's operating regions. The role plays a critical part in ensuring water resource activities are managed sustainably while protecting and enhancing aquatic ecosystems.
The postholder will lead aquatic ecology initiatives associated with statutory environmental programmes, including Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), Water Resource Management Plans (WRMP), Drought Plans, abstraction licences, permits, and operational compliance activities. They will collect, analyse, interpret and report ecological data to assess environmental impacts and support informed decision-making.
The role is the technical lead for freshwater ecology, with particular responsibility for macroinvertebrate and macrophyte monitoring, assessment and reporting. It also requires integration of hydrological, habitat and water chemistry information to provide a comprehensive understanding of catchment and ecosystem health.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
- Act as the technical lead for aquatic ecology matters relating to water resources management.
- Provide expert ecological advice to support statutory environmental programmes and regulatory requirements.
- Deliver specialist ecological input into strategic water resource planning and operational activities.
- Promote best practice in ecological assessment, monitoring and environmental stewardship.
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Monitoring & Assessment
- Design, implement and manage aquatic ecological monitoring programmes.
- Lead ecological surveys and assessments associated with abstraction licences, drought permits and environmental investigations.
- Analyse and interpret ecological data, including macroinvertebrate, macrophyte, habitat and water quality information.
- Assess ecological condition and identify environmental risks, trends and mitigation opportunities.
Reporting & Analysis
- Produce technical reports, environmental assessments and management recommendations for a range of audiences.
- Support hydro-ecological modelling projects through the provision of specialist ecological expertise.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations to support environmental decision making and regulatory submissions.
- Contribute to building a comprehensive understanding of catchment health across operational regions.
Compliance & Governance
- Support compliance with environmental legislation, licences and permits.
- Review, challenge and agree monitoring requirements associated with water resource activities.
- Ensure ecological assessments align with regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Minimum five years' experience in aquatic or freshwater ecology.
- Extensive experience of aquatic ecological monitoring and assessment.
- Experience of designing and delivering environmental monitoring programmes.
- Experience managing, analysing and reporting ecological data.
- Experience producing technical reports and presenting findings to varied audiences.
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Technical Knowledge
- Detailed knowledge of macroinvertebrate and macrophyte assessment methods including RICT, WHPT, LIFE, PSI and CCI.
- Understanding of aquatic habitat assessment methodologies including RHS, RCA and MoRPh.
- Knowledge of Water Framework Directive, Habitats Directive and wider environmental legislation.
- Understanding of water resources management and hydro-ecological interactions.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Freshwater Biology or a related discipline.
- Certification or accreditation in freshwater macroinvertebrate species-level analysis.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable
- Chartered Ecologist status or working towards chartership with CIEEM or a similar professional body.
- Advanced expertise in a range of aquatic ecological monitoring and survey techniques.
Closing Date: 29th July 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Founded in 1989, Pennon is a FTSE 250 listed company and one of the leading businesses in the UK water sector.
Serving a population of c.3.5million people and c.380,000 business customers, we're committed to supporting the lives of people and the places they love for generations to come.
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