Freshwater Ecologist

About the Role

Severn Rivers Trust and our commercial arm, Severn Rivers Ecology, are expanding our team and seeking a skilled Freshwater Ecologist to support and grow our specialist freshwater consultancy services. You will conduct high-quality ecological surveys, technical assessments, and restoration-focused advice for a wide range of clients while contributing to our wider charitable mission to restore the River Severn and its tributaries.

This newly created role is central to our growth strategy. You will help strengthen and diversify our technical capacity, particularly in freshwater ecology – supporting delivery of electrofishing surveys, aquatic invertebrate assessments, river habitat surveys, and fish passage evaluations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual looking to advance their career, influence the direction of a growing consultancy, and play a key role in restoring one of the UK’s most iconic river systems.

What You’ll Do

• Plan and undertake electrofishing surveys following UK best practice and licensing requirements
• Deliver freshwater, riparian, and species-specific surveys including fisheries and aquatic invertebrates
• Support assessment and design of fish passage improvements and barrier mitigation solutions
• Produce high-quality ecological reports for internal and external clients
• Contribute to ecological appraisals, impact assessments, and monitoring programmes
• Assist in project delivery, including fieldwork logistics, risk assessments, and stakeholder liaison
• Build positive client relationships and support the expansion of Severn Rivers Ecology’s service portfolio
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across the organisation

About You

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• A strong background in ecology and practical land management
• Demonstrated experience in project management and client engagement
• A degree (or equivalent experience) in ecology, environmental science, fisheries, or a related discipline
• Training and experience in electrofishing
• Strong understanding of UK freshwater ecology and fish identification
• Experience conducting freshwater habitat surveys
• Ability to analyse ecological data and present clear findings
• Excellent report writing, organisation, and communication skills
• Willingness to undertake physically demanding fieldwork in all weather conditions
• Located within or close to the River Severn catchment, or willing to relocate
• A full UK driving licence and the ability to travel regularly across the Severn catchment and beyond

Desirable attributes include: experience in macro-invertebrate identification, fish passage assessment, geomorphology or river restoration, consultancy experience, GIS skills (QGIS/ArcGIS), and membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIEEM, IFM).

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a passionate, ambitious team committed to accelerating river recovery and delivering meaningful, evidence-based environmental improvement across the Severn catchment and beyond. You’ll play a key role in shaping our consultancy’s future and will be afforded a good deal of autonomy to do so – we value each team member’s contributions to work towards our shared goals.