Graduate Rural / SSSI Surveyor 

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water: 

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience, 5b, £28,519 - £33,689
• A company car benefit
• Annual incentive-related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the Graduate Rural / SSSI Surveyor progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.  
• Retail savings scheme  
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more! 

Location: Bradford/ Hybrid Working – minimum of 1 day per week in Bradford

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week

We have an exciting opportunity for a Graduate Rural / SSSI Surveyor to join the Estates Team in Land at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. 

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. 

In the UK Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) are identified and designated by Natural England (NE) and give legal protection to the best sites for Wildlife, geology and/or landform.  Yorkshire Water owns over 11,000 hectares of SSSI and are working towards meeting the Government’s target of achieving 75% in favourable condition by 2042.  

As Graduate Rural / SSSI Surveyor you will be supporting the Lead SSSI Surveyor in collaborating with colleagues from various departments to ensure that we are working compliantly to improve SSSI condition through working with tenants, liaising with a wide variety of stakeholders from Natural England, partner organisations to third party interest groups.  You will be helping to manage the restoration of the protected sites, developing moorland management plans and building in climate change / fire resilience and carbon storage. 

For those individuals who thrive in a dynamic, fast paced environment and are passionate about making a difference, then Yorkshire Water’s Estates team offers a stimulating and rewarding career.

Where you fit in: 

Working alongside the Lead SSSI Surveyor and other Surveyors in the Estates Team and closely with YW tenants / third parties, you will support the management of mainly upland habitats focussing on monitoring SSSI’s and moving them towards achieving Favourable condition.  You will support with all matters relating to SSSI restoration and management ensuring up-to-date compliance with legislation and associated best practices. You will help support the Lead SSSI Surveyor to ensure the business has relevant and effective plans in place for working towards a resilient SSSI environment.  

• Work as part of a team to deliver upland habitat improvements.
• Understand full condition assessments of SSSI Units and analysing data and evidence.
• Support the Lead SSSI Surveyor in recommending a programme of works aiming to move conditions into Favourable status.
• Work closely with the Lead SSSI Surveyor and Project Management team to manage the SSSI programme of works including tendering, monitoring and signing off within capital and revenue budget constraints and ensuring that YWS meets all legal obligations
• Arrange feasibility studies which could help inform habitat and species management.
• Supporting the Lead SSSI Surveyor in facilitating the production of restoration plans including costings and in the delivery of the business plan and Performance Commitments to ensure annual financial and other targets are achieved.
• Keep up to date with best moorland management practices
• Contribute to the team’s implementation, management and strategy for SSSI’s.  
• Stakeholder management, developing strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Representing the Company at various meetings and ensuring Yorkshire Water’s interests are represented. 

What skills & qualifications you will need: 

• A relevant degree in land/ estate management or environmental science. 
• Good communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships.
• Good presentation and report writing skills
• A team player with the ability to prioritise and manage own time effectively.
• Support the team’s management information and key performance documents.
• Identifying and driving forward best land use opportunities, thinking creatively and innovatively.
• Drive excellent standards, behaviours and performance in Health & Safety, Risk Management and conduct at work ensuring compliance with YW safety policy.
• Demonstrate Company Values and behaviours.
• A proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.  

You will also benefit from having:

• Knowledge and experience of the legal and regulatory requirements relating to the ownership of designated land, with regard to SSSI’s
• Knowledge of habitats, conditions and vegetation classifications.
• Knowledge of ecology of upland areas and an understanding of hill farming systems. A working knowledge of geographical information systems (GIS)
• Effective Communication skills
• Excellent data handling and analysis skills.
• Ability to identify research requirements.

Training

Yorkshire Water will be happy to support the successful candidate through further education including APC for MRICS or similar that is relevant to the role.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy! 

Do we sound like your cup of tea?   

If you’ve got experience in Land Surveying and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.   

Accessibility 

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Just a heads-up! We might start interviewing and close the position earlier based on the response. To make sure you’re considered, please send in your application as soon as you can.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

No agencies please