Senior/Principal Consultant - Surface Water Quality

Join to apply for the Senior/Principal Consultant - Surface Water Quality role at WSP.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level | Employment type: Part‑time | Location: UK (flexible)

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

Your new role, what's involved?

We need people to join our rapidly expanding team of Water Quality and Catchment Management specialists so that we can continue to deliver sustainable solutions to the water sector and environmental regulators in the UK and help protect the water environment.

With a background in earth sciences and working knowledge of water quality and geochemistry / environmental chemistry you should be aware of the UK situation with regard to:

• How river, lake and TraCs water quality is protected through the WFD and other regulatory tools;
• Be aware / have working knowledge of water quality modelling tools (SAGIS SIMCAT, InfoWorks, ICM etc.).
• Experience of WFD/EIA scoping, reviews and assessments for water/hydrology chapters.
• Experience of water environment data collation (field and/or desk based), quality checking, assurance and interpretation.
• Experience of water quality permitting and completion or review of H1 and RQP assessments.
• Demonstrate understanding of how to conceptualise a water quality problem and knowledge of the available datasets which can be used in problem solving.

Prior work experience, either postdoctoral or in consultancy or working in the water sector (regulator or industry) would be desirable.

You should have an interest in problem solving through interrogation of time series and spatial datasets, good conceptualisation skills and understand the importance of source‑pathway receptor models and be able to clearly communicate ideas either through your writing or visualisations. An awareness of how groundwater and surface water interact would also be useful.

Field experience including sampling network design, risk assessment before field work, and data collation and interpretation (for river and / or groundwater sampling and monitoring) would also be beneficial and some knowledge of catchment management / agri‑environment schemes.

The role will include the following:

• Water quality data analysis, conceptualisation and visualisation and clear communication;
• Carrying out desk‑based investigations / interpretation of datasets.
• Helping to design field monitoring campaigns including traditional and non‑traditional approaches;
• Delivery of technical reports and presentations to clients; and
• Winning new work and writing proposals for new projects.
• Project and task management.
• Being a key member of our water quality team in Sustainable Water Management.

YOUR TEAM

Our Sustainable Water Management team works across a spectrum of services covering water quality and catchment management, water resources and security, hydrology and hydraulics, geomorphology, hydroecology and hydrogeology. We provide high‑quality technical services and advice to high‑profile customers in the UK and overseas, including government departments and agencies, the water industry, and industrial sectors, including power, transport, nuclear, mining, commercial and oil and gas. We offer a dynamic, but supportive environment for a motivated and talented individual to fulfil their potential. We recognise that our people are central to our success as a business.

We are committed to providing a comprehensive framework for the professional development of our staff, including:

• Access to extensive internal and external training opportunities;
• Supporting for volunteering;
• A mentoring programme; and
• Support for gaining chartership through professional institutions.

Benefits

• Hybrid working policy – flexibility to work from home two days a week, and modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & Belonging – we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences, promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.
• Health & Wellbeing – Thrive programme, virtual GP service, Gymflex scheme, and comprehensive menopause support package.
• Flex your time – WSP My Hour, part‑time and flexible working arrangements, and additional leave options.
• Development – training, mentoring, and chartership support.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

EEO Statement

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria; please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.