River Engineer

Salary
Graduate: £19,000 to £22,000
Employee with 3-5 years in the role: £25,000 to £30,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £35,000 - £50,000

Main Employers

Water companies
Government bodies (Environment Agency and British Waterways)
The Waterways Trust
Inland Waterways Association
Local authorities
Consultancies
Research agencies
Engineering and environmental management companies

Job profile
River engineers are involved in a variety of drainage, flood management and coastal engineering schemes, from initial studies to design and construction management. This includes land drainage and river and coastal engineering projects, such as flood risk assessments. Their application of technical skills deliver flood risk assessments, river modelling and SUDS design for commercial, industrial and residential developments.

Role and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

Applying water engineering skills
Computer modelling and simulations, including AutoCAD, for use in flood risk analysis and land use planning
Flood risk assessments
Devising flood alleviation programmes and defence strategies, which may include river and flood plain modelling, economic studies and consultation with affected people
Monitoring flood levels at times of high risk
Site supervision and contract management

Qualifications
Relevant Degree subjects include: Applied Science; Civil Engineering; Environmental Science (Physical); Geography (Physical); Geology; Geophysics/Geotechnology; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Physics

Entry with an HND only is not possible and most river engineers have a civil engineering background with knowledge of hydrological assessment and modelling. Successful candidates are generally a Chartered Engineer or approaching Chartered status.

Whilst not necessary for all jobs, a postgraduate degree is highly recommended and increasingly required, due to competition for roles. Most graduate positions will ask for an MSc in a river modelling or water resources subject. This should give you some experience in river and flood defence and drainage and coastal engineering.

Career Development
The Environment Agency is the largest employer in this sector, although much of their work is outsourced to consultancies. Consultancies are mainly small to medium sized enterprises of 200 to 500 staff. Most consultancies offer full support towards CIWEM membership.

Roles often require travel within the UK, and possibly abroad. Senior positions involve leading teams of water engineers, hydrologists and hydraulic modellers working for private and public sector clients.

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