Environmental Scientist (Biodiversity)

Are you passionate about delivering habitats and nature‑based solutions that make a real difference?

We have an exciting opportunity for an Environmental Scientist to join our Environmental Solutions Team, working on biodiversity and wetland investigations across Wessex Water's catchments. This role offers the chance to play a key part in the delivery of a farm biodiversity grant scheme, overseeing habitat creation and restoration to improve water quality and ecological outcomes.

What you'll do

You will support the design, monitoring and delivery of habitat creation and restoration, with a particular focus on farm-based biodiversity enhancements and wetlands. Working closely with farmers, colleagues and stakeholders, you will help identify and deliver nature‑based solutions as effective alternatives to more traditional engineering approaches.

You will be:

• designing and supporting the delivery of farm habitat features, including species-rich grassland, wildflower margins, insect-rich habitats, woodlands and hedgerows, in line with the Lawton Principles
• you will work alongside colleagues from the Catchment Delivery team, delivering an in-house agricultural environmental scheme focusing on farm biodiversity and water quality improvements
• you will need to undertake in-field ecological monitoring, including biodiversity/habitat net change and species surveys (plants and farmland species)
• analysing water quality and ecological data to demonstrate environmental change, performance and Natural Capital benefits
• providing quality assurance, data analysis and reporting to the Environment Agency, Natural England and other stakeholders
• producing technical reports and communicating findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
• supporting other Wessex Water teams, the Environment Agency and partners to meet licence requirements and environmental agreements
• this role is a mix of field-based work, data analysis and desk-based reporting, offering variety and the opportunity to see projects through from design to outcomes.

What you'll need

We are looking for:

• an environmental or ecological background and practical experience in habitat delivery and monitoring
• experience delivering farm biodiversity habitats (e.g. species-rich grassland, margins, hedgerows, woodland habitats)
• experience in ecological monitoring, such as plant surveys, water quality sampling and farmland wildlife surveys
• understanding of environmental legislation relevant to water companies
• knowledge of tools and approaches for monitoring the performance of nature‑based solutions
• strong data analysis and interpretation skills
• ability to write clear technical reports and communicate effectively at all levels
• experience using ArcGIS, spreadsheets and word-processing software
• health and safety experience, including risk assessments and method statements
• ability to work safely in the field, including swimming competency.

What you'll receive

• A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to sell up to five days of holiday every year.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days of holiday each year (subject to conditions).
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• The opportunity to lease a new electric car through salary sacrifice (subject to conditions).
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• Access to an interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from trained mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone who is successfully recruited by 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 Live – the development and operation of an entertainment complex that includes a 20,000 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.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please inform a member of our Recruitment team.