Desirable
* Experience in records or information management.
* Experience coordinating meetings (agendas, minutes, action tracking).
* Experience in business support or project/programme support roles.
* Experience in risk management.
* Experience in reporting and presenting data and information to support effective decision making.
* Familiarity with EA systems, governance or business processes.
Job Description
The Environment Agency (EA) is fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.
We’re looking for an organised, proactive Business Support Officer to join our new Planning and Place business management team. In this important role, you will provide high quality administrative, organisational and information management support, helping the team deliver effectively against the requirements of our spending review settlement and wider EA corporate frameworks.
A key focus will be supporting records and information management, maintaining well-structured SharePoint Online sites that comply with Defra and EA requirements, and helping colleagues follow good version control, naming, storage and retention practices. You will support quarterly records management actions and action opportunities to consolidate information and improve our ways of working.
You will support core business processes such as Deputy Director and Team/Manager risk registers, budget monitoring and reporting, the preparation of future funding bids and business cases, tracking and coordinating business planning requests from Defra and the wider business, collating and interpreting data for reporting, and preparing materials for leadership discussions within Planning and Place, and across EA and Defra governance groups. You will also provide general team support such as organising meetings, preparing agendas, taking minutes, managing shared inboxes, and collating presentation materials.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training, and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.
The team
You will join our Planning and Place team within the Environment and Business Directorate. The team is geographically dispersed with a culture of collaborative remote working. We lead the Environment Agency’s growth and spatial planning work, delivering sustainable growth while protecting and enhancing the environment. You will join a new team committed to supporting and demonstrating how we do this.
The Environment and Business Directorate promotes a positive, inclusive, supportive culture where everyone feels valued.
Experience/skills Required
We’re looking for someone who is organised, dependable and motivated to help others succeed.
Essential
* Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
* Competent use of Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
* Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
* Clear, concise written and verbal communication.
* Ability to manage, store and retrieve information systematically.
* Confidence working remotely, both collaboratively and independently, as part of a geographically dispersed team.
Desirable
* Experience in records or information management.
* Experience coordinating meetings (agendas, minutes, action tracking).
* Experience in business support or project/programme support roles.
* Experience in risk management.
* Experience in reporting and presenting data and information to support effective decision making.
* Familiarity with EA systems, governance or business processes.
Contact and additional information
You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.
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 reduce travel; some travel and overnight stays may be required.
Please read the packs attached for information. Any queries, contact carrie.williams@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.
Competence 1
Data and Information Management
Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
Describe a time you improved how information or records were organised or maintained. What did you change, and how did it help others?
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
Competence 2
Achieves Results
Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Tell us about a time you managed multiple tasks or deadlines and still delivered accurate, high-quality work. How did you stay organised?
Competence 3
Communicates Effectively
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
Give an example of how you created clear minutes, guidance or documentation that helped colleagues understand information or take action. How did you tailor it for your audience?
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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