Wessex Water

We have an exciting new vacancy for an Assistant Conservation Adviser to join our Conservation team. 

If you are looking for a role that has a focus on our local environment and love engaging with equally passionate people, then we want to hear from you!

You will be encouraged to have a voice, be free-thinking and empowered, whilst working in a high-performing team, and have a genuine opportunity to make an impact. 

Although based in Bath, this role will require you to travel throughout our region on a regular basis. We also offer flexible working, allowing you to work from home some of the time, if preferred, as well as in our office. 

What you'll do

Wessex Water owns or leases nearly 3,000 hectares of land. Our sites and landholdings range from small pumping stations to large treatment works and reservoirs. Wessex Water and its tenants occupy over 290 hectares of SSSI and over 900 hectares which is designated as either a Local Wildlife Site or Local Geological Site. 

Within our talented Conservation team, we are committed to meeting our responsibilities to conserve and enhance wildlife and heritage. We work well together to drive great solutions for our customers and the environment. 

Reporting to the Conservation Manager, you will work on Wessex Water's landholding, assisting the Conservation team with the delivery of Wessex Water's conservation duties under the water industry Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation. The role is diverse and will involve all aspects of delivering conservation land management and provision of advice to the business to support the delivery of our biodiversity land management and improvement commitments. You will liaise with teams across Wessex Water and with external stakeholders including volunteers and community groups.  

Day-to-day you will schedule habitat management works, procure and oversee services from contractors and ecological consultants. You will also assist with surveying, managing and monitoring to conserve and enhance habitats and species of biodiversity importance or areas of heritage importance on our sites. The role will support the Conservation team with data collation, GIS mapping, document management and management plan and report writing.

What you'll need

To be successful in this role, you will have at least one to two years' experience in the conservation, ecology or environmental sector. It is desirable that you have a Biological Sciences or Environmental Management degree or similar, however, dependent on experience, this is not essential. 

You will have: 

• knowledge of ecological survey and assessment techniques including an awareness of UKHab and of the statutory biodiversity metric
• botanical/habitat identification skills sufficient to identify common habitats
• knowledge of UK ecology, habitat management, conservation issues and policy. 

Knowledge of agri-environment schemes and agricultural policy and issues would also be desirable.  

You will work well within and across teams, as well as have the ability to work alone, including in the field. You will be positive, pragmatic and forward thinking, with a flexible approach to problem solving and achieving solutions. Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word and SharePoint tools are essential for this role. Some experience in GIS (Esri) would also be strongly desirable.  

You will have excellent verbal and written communication skills with good organisational and time management skills and a keen attention to detail. You will be motivated and passionate about environmental issues.   

The role will include travel around the Wessex Water region, which in some cases can be very rural: a full clean UK driving licence is essential.

What you'll receive

• Total pension contributions up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary, subject to conditions.
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

Who we are

YTL UK is part of the international YTL Group based in Kuala Lumpur. The UK companies include:

• Wessex Water – one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West.
• YTL Developments – a major UK developer currently redeveloping a 350 acre former airfield into an award winning, exciting mix of houses, apartments, schools, commercial space, restaurants and hotels, to make a truly sustainable new community.
• YTL Construction UK – a top 20 UK contractor providing fully integrated services to infrastructure, residential, commercial, industry, energy and environmental sectors.
• YTL Arena – the development and operation of an entertainment complex that includes a 19,000 capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space.
• Plus a number of other retail, environmental and specialist businesses.

Our people tell us that YTL UK is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have a unique opportunity to develop and progress your career within such a diverse group.

We are passionate about diversity and inclusion – with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.