Fathom Ecology Limited
Fisheries and Field Operations Manager
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Fisheries & Field Operations Manager
Fathom Ecology Limited – Hampshire
£35,000–£38,000 per year | Full-time | Permanent
Are you practical, organised, good with people and passionate about fish and the aquatic environment?
Fathom Ecology is a growing specialist aquatic ecology consultancy, and we’re looking for someone exceptional to become a key part of our team.
This is not a desk-based ecology job and we aren’t looking for someone who wants to spend their week writing technical reports.
We’re looking for a hands-on fisheries and aquatics professional who enjoys being outdoors, organising people, fixing things, solving problems and getting jobs done properly.
One day you might be leading an electrofishing team on a chalk stream. The next you could be preparing equipment for a major fish rescue, repairing a pump, organising staff and accommodation for the following week’s surveys, or speaking to a client about a new project.
You’ll work closely with the Director and take increasing responsibility for the operational side of Fathom Ecology as the company grows.
What you’ll be doing
Your role will include:
- Undertaking and helping to lead electrofishing surveys, fish rescues and fisheries fieldwork.
- Organising field teams, subcontractors and project logistics.
- Preparing vehicles, equipment and consumables for projects.
- Managing Fathom’s fisheries and ecological equipment and stores.
- Cleaning, inspecting, maintaining and repairing equipment.
- Making sure equipment is properly stored, serviced, charged, calibrated and ready to go when we need it.
- Organising travel and accommodation for field teams.
- Leading and supervising teams on site.
- Acting as a professional Fathom representative with clients, contractors and site managers.
- Answering incoming enquiries and talking confidently about what Fathom Ecology can provide.
- Gathering information for quotations and helping turn enquiries into new work.
- Maintaining accurate field, equipment and project records.
- Helping train and develop other members of the field team.
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You’ll still spend plenty of time actually doing fisheries and ecological fieldwork. This is an operational management role, not an office management position.
Who are we looking for?
We’re deliberately keeping the specification broad because the right person matters more to us than the right CV.
You might currently work in:
- Fisheries or fisheries management;
- Ecological consultancy;
- Aquaculture or a fish hatchery;
- The aquatics industry;
- River or catchment management;
- Environmental contracting; or
- Another practical aquatic or environmental role.
Previous electrofishing or fish-rescue experience would be a major advantage, but training can be provided to the right candidate.
You don’t need to be an experienced ecological report writer.
What we do need is someone who is:
- Reliable, practical and organised;
- Comfortable taking responsibility;
- Good at organising and leading people;
- Confident dealing with clients;
- Good with equipment and able to fix practical problems;
- And, importantly, someone who genuinely enjoys working with fish, rivers and the aquatic environment.
A full UK driving licence is essential, and the role involves regular travel, early starts and occasional overnight stays.
Training & Career Development
We don’t expect you to know everything when you arrive.
Fathom will invest in the right person through a combination of in-house training and specialist external training and qualifications.
Depending on your existing experience, this may include electrofishing, fish rescue, fisheries survey techniques, equipment operation and maintenance, water-quality monitoring, first aid, CSCS, health and safety, project management and other specialist aquatic ecological skills.
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As your experience develops, you’ll be given increasing responsibility for independently organising and delivering Fathom projects.
This is intended to be a long-term career position, with the opportunity to progress into a senior operational management role as the company grows.
What we offer
- £35,000–£38,000 starting salary depending on experience
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Workplace pension
- Company-funded professional and specialist training
- All necessary specialist PPE and field equipment
- Paid project accommodation and appropriate expenses
- Varied fieldwork throughout the UK
- Significant opportunity for progression
- A formal salary and performance review after six months
Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to become a key member of a small, specialist company where your contribution genuinely matters.
About Fathom Ecology
Fathom Ecology Limited is a Hampshire-based specialist aquatic ecological consultancy working throughout the UK.
We undertake electrofishing, fisheries surveys, fish rescue and translocation, aquatic habitat surveys, ecological supervision, freshwater and marine surveys and other specialist environmental projects.
Our work ranges from small river surveys to major infrastructure and environmental projects.
We’re growing, and we’re looking for someone who wants to grow with us.
If you’re a practical fisheries or aquatics person who enjoys responsibility, problem-solving, fieldwork and working with people, we’d like to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV and a short covering note to amy@fathom-ecology.com telling us about your relevant experience and, importantly, why you think you’d be a good fit for Fathom Ecology.
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