Senior Environmental Scientist

Senior Environmental Scientist
Job Reference: e20001192c
Location: Reading
Berkshire
Business Area: Regulation
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
What is the purpose of this role?
Working at our head office in Reading this position supports the Environmental Regulation Manager in
interpreting, influencing and planning for legislative and regulatory development on a wide range of
environmental topics. You will also be required to highlight the impact these will have on the business,
considering the associated costs.
The team covers environmental topics including the Water Framework Directive, environmental
economics, environmental permitting, flooding, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA), catchment management, contaminated land and biodiversity
strategy.
There will be substantial engagement with regulatory bodies, policy makers and key stakeholders to
positively influence decisions with reasoned and scientific evidence. In addition you will be expected to
facilitate plans for the business to ensure we meet new environmental obligations.
What makes this role unique?
Working in a varied role, you will have the opportunity to directly influence environmental policies in a
positive manner through the application of sound science and engagement with policy makers and key
stakeholders. While this role is based in Reading due to the high level of external liaison there will also be
the requirement to travel within the catchment area.
As part of a small but high profile team, this is great opportunity for someone who has come from a
water policy or environmental science background and wishes to be at the cutting edge of
environmental planning and strategy.
What will this role involve?
- Assisting the Environmental Regulation Manager in establishing strategies and policies that fully reflect
the environmental regulatory requirements for the business.
- Interpreting and, where possible, positively influencing new regulatory policy.
- Providing advice to the business on existing environmental regulation issues and provide guidance to
help deliver the current quality programme and other capital schemes.
- Responding constructively, comprehensively and in a timely fashion to any relevant consultation
documents or requests for information from regulators or other technical stakeholders to best represent
the view of the business.
- Supporting the Environmental Regulation Manager developing relevant parts of the company's
Strategic Direction Statement and future Strategic Business Plans.
- Helping the Environmental Regulation Manager with planning to meet the Water Framework
Directive's requirements in relation to our operations.
- Understanding and developing financial and environmental cost impact estimates. In particular
reviewing the assessment of disproportionate costs.
- Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with the Environment Agency, Natural
England, other water companies and technical stakeholders. This will facilitate the sharing of
information and a collaborative approach to developing policies and regulatory practice.
- Communicating developments and relevant information at all levels across affected areas of our
business.
- Supporting relevant research programmes that are working towards beneficial outcomes for our
business.
What skills are we looking for?
This is a technical role that will require someone who has a proven track record in the water policy,
environmental science or environmental regulation fields. Experience of positively influencing the
development and implementation of environmental legislation is highly desirable.
The successful candidate will have a background in one or more of the following topics; Water
Framework Directive, contaminated land, flooding mitigation, biodiversity strategy, environmental
economics, EIA, SEA and environmental permitting (including waste management licensing). We are
not seeking an expert within all these fields, but you will be expected to have a broad understanding of
these topics.
You will be working with both internal and external stakeholders, so to be considered for this role you
must be able to demonstrate the ability to engage and communicate effectively. You will have
competency in technical and non-technical writing, presenting and relationship management.
You must posses a relevant first or upper second class science degree (or equivalent) as a minimum.
Thames Water information and salary details
This role is based in Clearwater Court in the centre of Reading.
The salary for this role is £30,000 to £40,000 per annum dependant upon experience.
About us
We're the UK's largest water and wastewater company, serving 13.6 million people across London and
the Thames Valley. We provide vital, round-the-clock services and are responsible for a wide range of
high-profile engineering projects. We're replacing Victorian water mains in London to reduce leakage,
and are planning two huge new sewers to protect the River Thames from pollution. Our work also
includes protecting homes from sewer flooding, improving the environment and developing new water
sources.
Our people
Our people don't all work with water or sewerage. For example, we have 500 staff in our contact centre,
handling four million enquires per year. We also have specialists in other subjects, such as regulation,
finance and IT.
Why join us?
We offer a welcoming work environment and extensive benefits. Our 5,000 employees have plenty to be
proud of - our tap water is the best it's ever been, we've beaten our leakage target for the last three
years and have an enviable record of achievement in waste treatment
To discuss this role please contact the Thames Water Recruitment Team on 0845 4607 305 or email
To discuss this role please contact the Thames Water Recruitment Team on 0845 4607 305 or email
thames.water@reed.co.uk
The closing date for this vacancy is 14.03.2011
Thames Water is an equal opportunities employer; please help us maintain this by ensuring you omit
your date of birth from your CV. Applications for each vacancy are considered in isolation and short
listing is always based on how closely applications match the role profile for each vacancy.