Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy multi-disciplinary coastal management team managing coastal flood and erosion risk on the south coast.

Coastal Partners provides a Coastal Risk Management Service to five local authorities that reduces the risks to people, the developed and natural environment, from flooding and coastal erosion. With several exciting large-scale civil engineering projects in our portfolio, we are seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our Research team.


Working within the Research team, you will be a coastal scientist/senior coastal scientist, helping to protect communities, the environment and shape our coastal landscape for future generations. By using your scientific knowledge, you will develop solutions by working across a variety of projects, with the opportunity to be involved in different aspects of coastal research, science and GIS analysis. The successful candidate will ideally have experience or interest in the following areas:

Project Management

Working across the wider Coastal Partners project portfolio, this role requires undertaking technical project management for coastal process studies to inform option appraisals and scheme design. This involves working with in-house Coastal Partners staff or external suppliers. The role also includes project management of Beach Management Plan production and external research projects, to better understand coastal processes through GIS analysis and modelling. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and be good at report writing and presenting your results to a non-technical audience.

Technical analysis and modelling skills

Working in the research team, you will assist our tracer study service, undertake GIS analysis of data such as, aerial photography, lidar, topographic surveys, UAV data, bathymetry and habitat mapping. You will have a background in geomorphology and coastal processes and a hydro-dynamic understanding. Ideally you will have experience in sediment dynamics, overtopping of beaches and hard engineering structures; modelling; climate change, Beach Management Plan design and works; cliff erosion and landsliding. In terms of software, it will be advantageous if you have experience in ArcGIS, MIKE 21, Telemac, EUROTOP and Matlab.


Your work will be diverse, working on the coastal process elements of our multi-million-pound projects that include an option appraisal for Selsey and beach management plan at Hayling Island and Southsea, along with smaller capital projects. You will work on and/or Project Manage tracer studies, baseline coastal process understanding reports, numerical modelling and beach management plan design and monitoring.


You will require a degree or post-graduate degree in geography, oceanography, marine science, civil engineering or closely related discipline. This is a career graded post with the opportunity to progress through career grade. The initial salary is dependent on experience and qualifications.


We are a dynamic service with a fresh and optimistic approach to meeting challenges and opportunities and are committed to developing our people through training and support to offer a varied experience.

What we can offer you

A competitive salary/benefits and support for your continuous professional development.

26,409 to 49,764 per annum depending on experience (pay award pending) Generous Leave Allowance Free Parking Local Government Pension Scheme Flexible Working/Hybrid working Family Friendly Packages Role specific training for career development


Visit Benefits of working with us | Havant Borough Council for the full range of benefits and support we offer our staff.

Interested?

For more information about us please visit https://coastalpartners.org.uk/join-the-team or our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/LzAkc8pLiWw


For an informal discussion about the role please contact

Dr Samantha Cope, Research manager

on

07775 910026

.

To Apply

Please

click apply

and complete the short application process (3-4) minutes. Please ensure you attach your

CV and a supporting statement

, when completing your application on our recruitment platform Hireful - www.havant.gov.uk/jobs-us-apply-now. We will not be able to progress your application further unless you provide a supporting statement detailing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the role profile.


Closing date for receipt of applications is

midnight

on

5

th

September 2025

and interviews will be held on

22

nd

and 23

rd

September 2025.

Due to the current employment climate, we are receiving a high number of applicants for each post and as such may not be able to acknowledge receipt of your application. You will however be notified as to whether you made the shortlist soon after the closing date.


We want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities, therefore, we encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. www.havant.gov.uk/our-organisation/equality-and-diversity


The council is an inclusive employer and appoints on merit. We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans.


Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff members to share this commitment.


Havant Borough Council is a Category 1 Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. All employees of the Authority will be expected to support any necessary actions required during an emergency response.