Environmental Scientist Placement Students (Freshwater Ecology, Water Resources & Hydrology)

Are you passionate about the environment and interested in pursuing a career in environmental science? Are you looking for a role that provides a mix of office and fieldwork with plenty of development opportunities? If so, we have a great opportunity for you during your university sandwich year!

There are two roles available, specialising in either:

• freshwater ecology (supporting projects related to freshwater biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems monitoring)
• water resources and hydrology (supporting projects related to river flow, groundwater availability and sustainable abstraction). 

Submissions may be tailored to either role, but including relevant skills or knowledge of both specialisms will benefit your application.  

During the interview, applicants will be considered for both positions, and successful candidates will be matched to the role that best aligns with their skills, interests and career aspirations. 

What you'll do

As an Environmental Scientist Placement Student, you'll become an integral part of our team, collaborating with Environmental Scientists and Project Managers to support the delivery and reporting of environmental investigations for the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). 

The main duties of this role will include: 

• undertaking in-field environmental monitoring (eg, water quality sampling, river flow and groundwater level monitoring, macroinvertebrate and sediment sampling, and ecological surveys for diatoms, macrophytes, invasive non-native species and fish)
• quality assurance and analysis of monitoring data collected in the field, disseminating findings to the wider team
• preparing reports and mapping outputs and figures to be included as part of WINEP deliverables
• liaison with external stakeholders and obtaining permission for access and fieldwork on private land. 

What you'll need

This role is a one-year industrial placement. Applicants must be studying towards an undergraduate degree or higher in environmental science, ecology, geography, or a science-based discipline. 

You will be well organised, able to effectively manage your own workload, and comfortable working alone safely in both office and outdoor environments. 

The following personal skills are essential:

• have a valid UK driving licence
• be IT proficient, including Microsoft applications
• have effective communication and presentation skills within and across teams
• be organised and have efficient time management skills
• have the ability to swim confidently
• have the willingness to learn and develop on-the-job

The following technical skills are advantageous but not essential:

• have a basic understanding of environmental issues, such as water abstraction, hydrology, pollution, wastewater discharge and solutions to address them
• have experience in data analysis with Excel, and the use of R and/or Python for statistical analysis
• have experience using ArcGIS Pro or equivalent GIS program
• have knowledge of environmental legislation and the tools available for water quality monitoring, hydrometry, ecology surveys and data interpretation.  

You do not need any prior knowledge of the water industry for this role, as you will complete a CIWEM-accredited ‘Introduction to the UK Water Industry' course upon starting.

Full training, personal protective equipment and a company vehicle will also be provided throughout the course of the placement.  

This post is within the Environmental Investigations team, but successful applicants will have the opportunity to work closely with a number of teams to deliver environmental projects across the business.

The role will be based primarily at Claverton, with approximately 2-3 days of fieldwork per week.  

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 Arena – 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.