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Water Framework Directive Scientist

AtkinsRéalis


Job Location:

Cork - Ireland

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 16 September 2026 (3 days ago)
Application Deadline: 14 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Description

Overview

AtkinsRéalis is one of the worlds most respected design engineering and project management consultancies with over 50000 employees worldwide. At AtkinsRéalis we offer more than just a job. We offer an opportunity to make a difference and shape the world to benefit future generations and the natural environment. We have a multi-disciplinary Water Management Consultancy group that continues to grow and now has 10 specialists across Ireland. We have a reputation for technical excellence innovation and actively shaping the future of our industry. We are a friendly and approachable team. We enjoy the work we do and have fun while doing it.

We are seeking to expand the team and to add to and expand our existing service offerings. If you are looking to deliver interesting and significant water-focused projects influence environmental outcomes at the project level and beyond and work within a strong culture of wellbeing innovation and inclusivity this is the place for you.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our dynamic team and to help ensure projects are compliant with the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). You should have significant experience in undertaking Water Framework Directive compliance assessments and expertise in a technically related subject (water quality hydroecology or hydromorphology).

Our team is technically progressive and offers a wonderful opportunity for you to work with like-minded specialists. Within AtkinsRéalis we operate national and international technical networks to develop and share the very best ideas and practice in our industry. We encourage the production of papers/articles and support our staff in presenting their work at conferences. We actively support staff in their career progression. This is an exceptional environment for you to develop your technical and commercial skills.

We value flexible working and encourage working from different offices across Ireland flexible hours and home working; you can also work for 20 days a year away from your home base. We also support part-time workers who make up an essential component of our team. The role can be based any of offices in Ireland namely Dublin Cork Dundalk or Galway.

We work for clients across the Ireland including central government regulators Uisce Eireann and local authorities among others. We have a strong pipeline of work secured with multiple entities on a wide range of projects. We are leading on a variety of unique water industry projects which offer excellent opportunities.

Your role

  • To lead the undertaking of Water Framework Directive compliance assessments.
  • Lead technical WFD chapters for EIARs.
  • To support in work winning activities to secure more WFD focused work.
  • Collaborative working with other Water Management Consultancy and the wider network of AtkinsRéalis specialists to ensure projects are compliant with the Water Framework Directive legislation.
  • Liaise with internal and external project teams to deliver the best environmental outcomes for affected projects to ensure WFD compliance.
  • To work with others in the standardisation and automisation of the WFD assessment process.
  • To work effectively as part of a team and with other professionals (environmental scientists ecologists water quality specialists hydrologist hydrogeologists hydromorphologists engineers and planners) throughout AtkinsRéalis to provide a consistent and integrated service to our clients.
  • To work collaboratively with the wider team delegating to reviewing the work of and mentoring more junior staff.
  • To succeed within this role you must have a flexible hands-on proactive approach to your work and be able to demonstrate significant consultancy experience. You must be able to work independently as well as part of a wider team and be comfortable applying your skills in a commercial environment.

About you

Required attributes

  • A degree in a relevant discipline and a relevant post-graduate qualification.
  • Experienced in leading undertaking and or of managing teams to undertaken a range of Water Framework Directive compliance assessments across small to large-scale complex projects.
  • Chartered with an appropriate professional body or at least working towards obtaining Chartered status.
  • A proven ability to undertake and review data to drive evidence-based solutions.
  • A proven ability to present findings in a well-structured concise argument (verbal or written) supported by evidence.
  • A proven understanding of the linkages between the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Habitats Directive and mitigation requirements.
  • A proven ability to write reports in concise plain English appropriate to audiences.
  • Numerate literate and familiar with IT software appropriate to the tasks undertaken.

Desirable qualifications/skills

  • Experience of work in Ireland or at least the UK or in the European Union and thus of the Water Framework Directive and its requirements.
  • A valid driving license and availability for travel across Ireland.
  • Competent swimmer.

The Individual

  • You will have a passion for water.
  • You should be highly motivated enthusiastic and proactive; focused on achieving and delivering technical excellence and sustainable outcomes.
  • The individual needs to be skilled at collaborative working have experience of leading projects and teams have good interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively.
  • In addition they would need to be flexible adaptable and prepared to take on new challenges in a commercial environment. Finally the candidate would need to have excellent communication report writing and presentation skills.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries and a brilliant range of health wellbeing financial and lifestyle benefits. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture international remote working opportunities and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

Were AtkinsRéalis a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people data and technology to transform the worlds infrastructure and energy systems. Together with our industry partners and clients and our global team of consultants designers engineers and project managers we can change the world. Were committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So we offer a range of family friendly inclusive employment policies flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer we value applications from all backgrounds cultures and ability.

Worker Type
Employee

Job Type
Regular

At AtkinsRéalis we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender ethnic or national origin sexual identity and orientation age religion or disability but enriches itself through these differences.


Required Experience:

IC


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We are a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.

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