Overview
This is a temporary post until February 2028.
You will:
* be able to work on your own initiative,
* be able to communicate technical issues clearly and adapt to a range of audiences,
* work in “virtual teams” to deliver outcomes with people across and beyond the organisation.
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
Job Description
We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the way we collect data in the freshwater ecosystems within the Natural Capital and Ecosystems Assessment (NCEA) project. The NCEA is a flagship multi-agency science programme with a high profile with policy makers in Defra. The Environment Agency focuses on delivering benefits and outcomes for the water environment.
Working with the network designer, you will provide technical advice on ecological, physicochemical and hydromorphological monitoring in freshwaters. This role will primarily focus on lakes, with some input into rivers and small streams. You will have good technical knowledge of freshwater monitoring gained from a number of years’ experience in the field and/or in the use of data, and an interest in learning more and advancing our approach as an organisation.
You will deliver work individually and through projects with partners and contractors with the aim of ensuring our NCEA monitoring networks fulfil their potential to provide a unique view on the condition and change in condition of our small streams, lakes and rivers. Some experience of project management would be advantageous.
Responsibilities
* Work on refining and developing our lakes, small stream and river monitoring, including managing funded projects
* Build networks with experts (internally and externally) to answer difficult technical challenges and find solutions
* Be involved in technical decision making around innovative monitoring techniques such as eDNA
* Work with colleagues to advise on the ongoing delivery of the small stream, lakes and river surveillance networks
* Contribute to planning the analysis to maximise the insights that our unique co-located data can provide
This is a temporary post until February 2028.
The team
The Strategic Evidence Design and Assessment (SEDA) team (within the Chief Scientist Group) ensures the best environmental evidence is at the heart of decision making. This post will join a team focused on supporting and enabling delivery of the Natural Capital and Ecosystems Assessment Programme. Working in a dispersed way you can expect a friendly and engaging work environment. We have a strong team dynamic, believe in the development of our staff and embrace diversity.
Experience/skills Required
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone keen to develop their career in freshwater monitoring, expand their knowledge, and contribute to new and innovative national monitoring programmes. You’ll also have the chance to build strong professional networks with colleagues and partners across the EA and Defra family.
Background and knowledge:
* Degree or higher qualification in environmental discipline
* Strong experience of collecting and analysing environmental data in the freshwater environment
* Up to speed on existing and emerging practice in water data science
You will:
* be able to work on your own initiative,
* be able to communicate technical issues clearly and adapt to a range of audiences,
* work in “virtual teams” to deliver outcomes with people across and beyond the organisation.
We’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
Contact and additional information
You’ll have an EA Office base location; as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid. We use smart tools to stay connected and some travel and overnights will be required.
Candidate information: Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries can be directed to lesley.rippon@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Applications are blind assessed using your answers to the competency questions. Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Length of contract: Up to 20 months.
Competence questions
* Competence 1 — Scientific Knowledge: Based on your experience, what are the main challenges to maintaining high-quality freshwater monitoring data, and how have you helped address them?
* Competence 2 — Takes Decisions and Solves Problems: Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision or solve a complex problem using scientific or technical evidence.
* Competence 3 — Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality: Can you give us an example where you’ve implemented an innovative solution to solve a problem or improve a process that had benefits for a group of people?
* Competence 4 — Data and Information Management: What are the data management considerations that need to be thought about when planning a monitoring network?
Note: The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and to flexible working arrangements, including job share. We also offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support people with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the post.
Artificial intelligence guidance: Applications should be truthful and based on your own experience. For more information about appropriate use of AI, please review Civil Service guidance.
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