Senior/Principal Consultant – Surface Water Quality

Join to apply for the Senior/Principal Consultant – Surface Water Quality role at WSP – a leading engineering and professional services firm committed to creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on communities worldwide.

Job Description

We need specialists in Water Quality and Catchment Management to help deliver sustainable solutions to the water sector and environmental regulators in the UK. Your role will support clients across the UK and around the world, protecting the water environment through sound science and strategic advice.

Responsibilities

• Analyse, conceptualise and visualise water‑quality data, and communicate findings clearly.
• Carry out desk‑based investigations and interpret datasets.
• Design field monitoring campaigns, including traditional and non‑traditional approaches.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for clients.
• Win new work and write proposals for new projects.
• Manage projects and tasks, ensuring delivery on time and to specification.
• Act as a key member of the Sustainable Water Management water‑quality team.

Qualifications

• Degree‑level qualifications in geography, geology, geochemistry, earth/environmental science, civil engineering, or a related subject.
• Higher degree in river or lake water quality, water chemistry, hydrogeochemistry, water management, environmental science, or similar (desirable).
• Background in earth sciences with knowledge of UK water‑quality regulations (WFD, EIA, H1, RQP, etc.).
• Working knowledge of water‑quality modelling tools – SAGIS, SIMCAT, InfoWorks, ICM, etc.
• Experience in data collation, quality checking, and interpretation for river and/or groundwater monitoring.
• Experience with water‑quality permitting and completion or review of H1 and RQP assessments.
• Expertise in conceptualising water‑quality problems and selecting appropriate datasets for solution‑driven analysis.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and communication skills – written and through visualisations.
• Knowledge of source‑pathway‑receptor modelling and groundwater‑surface‑water interaction.
• Experience with field sampling network design, risk assessment, and data interpretation (beneficial).
• Familiarity with catchment management and agri‑environment schemes (beneficial).
• Ability to work effectively as part of a diverse team and independently when required.

Team

The Sustainable Water Management team offers high‑quality technical services across a spectrum of services including water quality, catchment management, hydrology, hydraulics, geomorphology, hydroecology and hydrogeology. Team members work across WSP’s global business and interact with government departments, water industry, and industrial sectors.

EEO Statement

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.