Location: Flexible with regular travel to central belt and/or Dingwall
Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take – to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise.
That’s why, when you join us as Senior Specialist Scientist - Hydrologist, you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful – for our environment, and for your career.
Experts at what we do, we work in a professional way towards our shared goals, knowing the work we do makes a genuine, lasting difference on the environment.
The role of Senior Specialist Scientist (Climate and Hydrology Data Science) is to be responsible for coordinating the provision of expert, robust , technical data and advice to support delivery of SEPA's climate change projections, mapping and communication in relation to the impacts of climate change on flooding from Surface Water, Small Watercourse, Rivers and the Sea.
Other tasks include:
- Coordinate the development and continuous improvement of methods for incorporating climate change into SEPA's flood risk assessment and modelling products and services.
- Define and implement best practice for the use of UKCP and other climate projection datasets within SEPA's flooding work.
- Maintain awareness of emerging research and ensure efficient adoption of relevant advances into operational practice
- Provide robust technical advice to the Lead Specialist Scientist and senior management to support strategic decision making.
- Contribute expert scientific submission to the development of environmental policy and/or strategy development within SEPA and promote improvements in regulation and the delivery of integrated national policies and strategies
This is a highly important role within our Evidence & Water Resilience portfolio, which means you’ll need:
- Degree (or equivalent experience) in climate science, hydrology, or related field such as mathematics
- Experience in the development and subsequent application of climate projections to flooding, hydrology, or extreme rainfall
- Understanding of:
- Hydrological and flood processes
- Extreme value analysis
- Climate uncertainty and non-stationarity
- Climate change impacts on compound hazards
- Knowledge of current and emerging research and methods in climate impacts
Please open the link to the Senior Specialist Scientist role profile link which outlines the core responsibilities and expectations of the role within a defined activity family. Please note the role profile name may be different to the job title being advertised.
We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:
- Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
- Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
- Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Progressive Family Friendly policies
- Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.
Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.
SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.
Passionately Purposeful about Scotland’s environment – and your career.
Protecting our environment, promoting our work, and supporting our people, working at SEPA means being part of an organisation that’s grounded in respect for your expertise – and your wellbeing. So you can be your best, and make the biggest impact.
We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis. Please ensure that you include all relevant information when you apply.
We support flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy balance between career and homelife. This includes working part time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely. As a flexible first employer we are open to having conversations about flexible working arrangements that work for you and SEPA from day 1 of your employment with us.
We are proud to be a 'Disability Confident' employer and will work to identify and implement reasonable adjustments and equipment to support you in the role that you do.
Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.
For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotland check.
If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at [email protected]
