Are you an experienced freshwater fisheries specialist with the technical knowledge to lead complex assessments, review scientific outputs and provide expert advice across a range of projects?
Are you looking for a role that combines hands-on technical work with the opportunity to influence standards, develop people and grow client relationships?
We’re looking for a Principal Freshwater Fisheries Consultant to join our nationwide Freshwater Fisheries team.
This is an exciting opportunity for an established technical specialist to take a leading role in shaping the direction, quality and development of our fisheries services. Working alongside our Associate Director you'll provide technical leadership across the team, supporting colleagues on complex projects and ensuring we continue to deliver scientifically robust, high-quality work.
You'll retain involvement in challenging technical projects, particularly desk-based assessments, alongside survey work where required. Our portfolio is varied, covering fish surveys and rescues, habitat assessments, mitigation design, fisheries impact and risk assessments, regulatory assessments and fish and eel passage investigations.
You'll play a key role in maintaining and improving technical standards, developing guidance and methodologies, strengthening quality assurance and sharing best practice. You'll also help develop the capability of the wider team through mentoring, training and professional development.
There is an important commercial element too. You'll develop new and existing client relationships, identify opportunities for new work, contribute to tenders and proposals, and help shape the future growth of APEM's freshwater fisheries offering.
You'll work with clients across the water, energy and infrastructure sectors, alongside environmental and conservation agencies, and collaborate with specialists across our wider aquatic science and environmental teams.
This is a nationwide role, offering flexibility around location and the opportunity to influence technical delivery across APEM's UK fisheries team.
If you're ready to use your technical reputation and experience to make a wider impact, this is an opportunity to help shape both the people and the science behind one of APEM's specialist services.
You'll need to bring
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Extensive experience in freshwater fisheries ecology and ecological assessment, ideally within environmental consultancy.
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A strong track record of designing and delivering freshwater fisheries surveys.
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In-depth knowledge of fisheries science, aquatic ecology and relevant UK legislation and policy, including WFD, EIA and HRA.
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Proven technical leadership experience, including technical review, quality assurance and providing specialist advice on complex projects.
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Experience leading projects, managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality technical outputs.
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Strong client relationship and engagement skills, with experience contributing to business development.
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Experience mentoring, coaching or developing colleagues and sharing technical knowledge.
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Excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence technical standards and approaches across a geographically dispersed team.
It's a bonus if you have
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Chartered status or are working towards professional accreditation.
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Experience leading tenders and securing new work.
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Experience developing technical guidance, methodologies, training materials or quality assurance processes.
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Experience working on large, complex or multidisciplinary projects.
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A track record of introducing technical improvements, innovation or new approaches to strengthen consultancy services.
Our WOW Factor
We know that everyone works differently and that daily life does not always follow a set schedule. That is why flexibility is built into the way we work. Our Ways of Working (WOW) are designed to support a healthy work-life balance and create an environment where our people can thrive.
You belong
Everyone brings something unique to APEM. Whether it's your background, experiences, perspectives or ideas, we believe that what each person brings makes us stronger.
We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, supported and able to be themselves. When our people feel empowered to do their best work, we all succeed together.
Next steps
We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can't tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills.
If you think you have what it takes to join our fast-growing business, then please apply immediately on our website. All we need is some basic information and your CV, we will review all applications quickly and will respond to all applications.