Senior/Principal Consultant - Surface Water Quality

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Overview

At WSP, we provide opportunities to grow and work with diverse, talented individuals who help expand your horizons. Join our rapidly expanding team of Water Quality and Catchment Management specialists to deliver sustainable solutions to the water sector and environmental regulators in the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Water quality data analysis, conceptualisation and visualisation, and clear communication.
• Desk‑based investigations and interpretation of datasets.
• Designing field monitoring campaigns, including traditional and non‑traditional approaches.
• Delivery of technical reports and presentations to clients.
• 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.

Required Experience and Skills

• Background in Earth Sciences with working knowledge of water quality and geochemistry/environmental chemistry.
• Understanding of UK regulatory context such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other environmental tools.
• Knowledge of water quality modelling tools (e.g., SAGIS, SIMCAT, InfoWorks, ICM).
• Experience in WFD/EIA scoping, reviews and assessments for water/hydrology chapters.
• Experience in water environment data collation, quality checking, assurance and interpretation.
• Experience in water quality permitting and completion or review of H1 and RQP assessments.
• Ability to conceptualise water quality problems and identify relevant datasets for problem solving.
• Interrogation of time‑series and spatial datasets; strong conceptualisation skills; effective communication through writing or visualisations.
• Familiarity with groundwater and surface‑water interaction.
• Field experience including sampling network design, risk assessment before fieldwork, and data collation and interpretation for river and/or groundwater monitoring.
• Knowledge of catchment management/agri‑environment schemes is beneficial.

Educational Background

• Degree‑level qualifications in a relevant subject (geography, geology, geochemistry, earth/environmental science, civil engineering or similar).
• A higher degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., river or lake water quality, water chemistry, hydrogeochemistry, water management, environmental science) is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent analytical skills; proficiency with MS Office tools (Word, Teams, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and GIS packages (ArcGIS or QGIS).

Benefits and Development

• Extensive internal and external training opportunities.
• Support for volunteering.
• Mentoring programme.
• Support for gaining chartership through professional institutions.
• Hybrid working policy offering flexibility to work from home two days a week.
• Health & wellbeing programmes including a virtual GP service, WSP Thrive programme, gym discounts, and a comprehensive menopause support package.
• Flexible working arrangements and the option to purchase additional leave.

Location and Working Arrangements

UK flexible – main offices in Newcastle‑upon‑Tyne, Cardiff, Manchester, Shrewsbury, London, Bristol or Glasgow. Hybrid office‑home working is supported.

Equal Opportunity 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.

Apply Now

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself? With us, you can. Apply today.