Leaders in the ecology of inland waters

Lateral Environmental is a leading environmental consultancy and a specialist provider of aquatic ecosystem and biodiversity management services. We support clients across a broad range of industries to make informed and sustainable water management decisions.

Proudly Western Australian owned and operated, we’re based in Perth and lead projects across the northern parts of Australia (WA, NT, QLD), southern and central inland Australia, and within the Asia Pacific region (Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Solomon Islands).

Lateral has a strong focus on workplace culture and safety management and building authentic long-term relationships with our clients. We provide science-based solutions and certainty around project environmental approvals and for compliance with permitting conditions on both large and small-scale projects throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific region for a variety of diverse clients.

Lateral has sustained continuous and steady growth as a specialist provider of aquatic ecology and water resource assessment and management services over the last two years. We are working closely with a diverse range of clients, on some very exciting projects, and have a stack of exciting opportunities in the pipeline for the dry season 2024 and upcoming wet season 2025.

We are currently a tight-knit team of eight, and we are looking for the right candidate to complement our team’s growth! All levels of experience are on the table, whether you are an early career scientist, experienced academic, or well-travelled environmental consultant. You will play an integral role in our long-term growth as we organically build a leading specialist environmental consultancy with a collective group of like-minded committed, dynamic and highly motivated aquatic ecologists (otherwise known as bug nerds).

The Opportunity

Do you love water, no matter whether it’s fresh, salty, permanent or temporary? Do you like field work, particularly remote and fascinating Inland Waters? Do water bugs interest you? Do you love taxonomy? Are you up for an exciting challenge, keen to have autonomy and flexibility, and consider yourself a career aquatic ecologist? We’re looking for that special person to join us in our West Perth office in a permanent full-time or part-time capacity (we’re all about the right balance - tell us what suits you!).

You will get to work together with a small, passionate team, in a newly built custom open plan office and laboratory with leading Leica stereomicroscopes to provide leading species-level assessment of aquatic invertebrates. Mentoring to less experienced team members will also be a crucial part of our growth strategy, working closely with leading external entomologists across Australia.

We’ll provide the support you need, but you’ll also have autonomy to play an integral role in all aspects of project delivery including project and budget management, leading fieldwork, data analysis and report writing.

We’re looking for the following attributes:

• A positive and growth mindset, ability to work as part of a small team, and of course a passion for all things water-ecology related!
• Passion for field work, capable swimmer, and physically fit – we pride ourselves on being outstanding field ecologists collecting only the highest quality data in a safe manner, no matter how harsh or tiresome the conditions.
• Keen interest in the identification of freshwater macroinvertebrates, ideally with prior experience in species-level identification using relevant Identification guides (did we mention we’re mad about bugs?!).
• Knowledge of scientific data collection techniques for sediment chemistry, water quality and aquatic biota indicators.
• Analytical mind, strong experience in uni- and multi-variate data analysis techniques and application.
• Excellent technical writing skills, ability to produce detailed reporting deliverables to peer review standard.
• Strong organisational, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong project / contract management skills suitable for leading small to large sized projects in a day-to-day environmental consultancy.
• Bachelor level degree in a related Environmental, Biological or Marine science. While a Masters / PhD is not considered mandatory, it will be an advantage.
• Minimum two to three years professional ecological consulting experience (or relevant academic research experience ).
• We are looking for a permanent Australian citizen or resident currently residing in Australia.

At Lateral, we value our people and are committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment that enables you to reach your full potential, but one that provides balance. We love aquatic ecology but also love our family, friends and hobbies and want to give you the flexibility to live a full life. Culture is exceptionally important to who we are and how we approach our work.

Our Work-Life Commitment to you:

• First class laboratory and working with leading Leica equipment, contributing strongly to our taxonomic services offering.
• Opportunity to guide direction and support the growth of a small team that is focused on working on a diverse range of aquatic ecosystems, locations and fauna.
• Supportive leadership working alongside a passionate team that values workplace culture and safety in the field.
• Continuous, structured and personalised learning and development opportunities, including presenting at, or attending relevant seminars, conferences and workshops.
• Flexible working arrangements including office/lab based and working from home opportunities.
• No timesheets, utilisation targets or micro-management with us (gamechanger).
• Leading employment benefits package including private healthcare, wellness program and professional development allowances.
• Very competitive base salary (+ 11.5% Superannuation Guarantee) reflecting skills and experience you bring to the table.
• Competitive time in lieu policy to compensate for extended hours as may be required during field surveys.
• An attractive relocation package to Perth, WA is available for interstate applicants.