Fisheries and Biodiversity Manager
Exeter, England
South West Water – SWW - Drought, and Resilience /
Permanent full-time /
Hybrid
Supporting the lives of people and places they love for generations to come is our purpose and providing water services to our communities in the most efficient and sustainable way possible is what we do. Our commitment is to always deliver available and sufficient resources, this is what drives the Drought and Resilience Team and in doing so we want to ensure that we enhance our reputation with our customers, regulators and stakeholders. So, if you want to be part of a diverse team where opportunities flow and fresh ideas are welcomed, #JustAddWater.
We are looking for a skilled Fisheries and Biodiversity Manager who will provide valuable insight on fishery and biodiversity issues and support the work of our water resources team. You will receive a competitive salary of up to circa £52,200 - £58,000 plus an excellent benefits package.
As a key member of the team, you will play a crucial role in the development and implementation of the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), and Drought planning. This role involves providing technical support in the delivery of the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) for Water Resources, where you will work with the programme manager and coordinator, internal delivery teams, landowners, specialist consultants and the Environment Agency to improve the protection of rivers.
This will require providing leadership and technical support in the delivery of the WINEP environmental investigations and Water Framework no deterioration investigations and options appraisals. The role also includes supporting the delivery and management of several habitat improvement and fish passage schemes within the SWW supply area.
What you'll be doing:
- To act as technical lead for Fishery and Biodiversity issues relating to management of water resources as SWW. To provide expert insight and advice on the development and management of water resource schemes.
- Provide specialist advice and support to internal teams and external partners in order to influence compliance with policy / legislation / best practice ways of working and are in line with team business plans. This will involve working with or producing technical documentation and reports to support work and management decisions.
- Responsible for building technical resilience of the team, and sometimes wider, within a specified area of knowledge through mentoring / training / guiding as appropriate
- To lead research and investigations into the interaction between water resource activities (impounding and abstraction) on fish and the aquatic environment.
- To support the programme manager in the development and tracking of deliverables for South West Water’s PR24 and long-term Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) for water resources.
- You will have strong leadership skills and believe that providing great leadership is fundamental to our ability to protect and improve the environment for people and wildlife.
- Work closely with Programme Development team to develop economic and efficient WINEP water resource capital delivery plans for South West Water for AMP8 and beyond.
- Responsible for the development of long term investigation programmes to inform future WINEP water resource obligations.
- Promote the evaluation and implementation of nature based solutions and support development of natural capital accounting methodologies within South West Water and application through the WINEP for water resources.
- Develop an understanding of the carbon impacts of WINEP investments and support achievement of carbon net zero targets.
- Co-ordinate and provide detailed technical support for WINEP submissions to EA and Ofwat. Provide expert advice on fishery and aquatic ecology matters.
What we are looking for:
- Educated to degree level standard or be able to demonstrate working to degree level
- Technical experience of freshwater ecology and/or fisheries. A thorough understanding of ecological requirements of freshwater habitats and species.
- Experience of environmental legislation, including European Directives and Regulations
- Knowledge of Government policy and strategy e.g. 25 Year Environment Plan.
- Experience in river management and restoration project deliver, ideally within the water industry.
- Experience of managing performance levels and progress reporting of project delivery
£52,200 - £58,000 a year
This isn’t just a job, this is a career; the opportunities to develop and grow your career with us are endless. Alongside ongoing training and development opportunities we offer some great benefits:
26 days holiday allowance rising to 30 days plus bank holidays
Hybrid working arrangements
Professional progression routes
Generous contributory pension scheme
Discretionary bonus
Share save scheme
Subsidised healthcare benefits
Plus, many more!
Closing Date: 19th August 2024
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.
