Job Description
The Environment Agency has a broad, varied remit to protect and enhance the environment, with a goal to create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for people and wildlife. Water is at the heart of all we do, drinking, washing, recreation, industry and health; our environment and economy depend on this precious resource. Clean and available water is essential and as water becomes an increasingly scarce resource, we need to do more to ensure we protect it.
Water companies must invest billions of pounds over the next five years to protect the environment from pollution. This scale of investment has not been seen for more than a generation. We need your knowledge and experience to help advise water companies on their plans and hold them to account for their protection of the water environment. Come be a part of the teams that ensure our environment is protected now and for future generations.
What will you do
You will work alongside Water Quality Officers to establish and embed Bathing Waters work in our teams and support the Operational community of practice to fulfil its responsibilities. This includes tasks such as the assessment of Water Company proposals to meet bathing water standards and the development of innovative methods to achieve this. You will work closely with teams from the Environment Agency, such as Local Area Integrated Environmental Planning and National Water Quality Guidance Teams. You will also engage with water companies and other external stakeholders to achieve outcomes for Bathing Waters.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role, making yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. Training is available to support you with your incident role. This may attract an additional payment.
The team
Operations Catchment Services works to secure outcomes across key stakeholders, influencing significant investment in the water environment. This post will be part of the OCS Water Quality team. We take a one business approach, working closely with colleagues across the organisation. We are a dispersed team, meeting face to face when the need arises. This allows us to be flexible on location for the role. Training and mentoring support will be provided.
Essential
Experience/skills required
* Knowledge of water quality planning, bathing water regulations, an understanding of the water industry and price review processes. Excellent communication and networking skills, as you will work with a range of Environment Agency colleagues and external stakeholders.
* The ability to analyse technical information
* Experience of presenting technical information to a wide audience.
* Organisational skills and the ability to plan, track, deliver and evaluate work, meeting relevant standards and timescales.
* Work experience in an environmental discipline – for example but not limited to – Water companies, Environmental consultancies, regulatory roles, research and education and Environmental charities.
Desirable
* Degree or postgraduate qualification in an environmental discipline – for example, but not limited to – Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Ecology, Environmental science, Sustainability, Data science and analytics.
* Experience in water quality modelling.
Contact and additional information
You will be working as part of a dispersed team and expected to travel for national meetings with occasional overnight stays.
We aim to create and maintain a diverse workforce that reflects the UK’s economically active population. Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from BAME, disabled, female and LGBT+ candidates who are under-represented across our workforce. We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working patterns, including part time and job share.
If you have any questions regarding the vacancy or application process, please contact the recruiting manager dave.sanderson@environment-agency.gov.uk
Interviews will be held using MS Teams and will involve competency-based questions. For information on these competencies please see the Environment Agency capability dictionary: https://en.calameo.com/books/004433680aab41adf893b
Competence questions (for interview)
Competence 1 – Data and Information Management
Description PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your response.
Description: Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
Provide an example of when you have managed technical data to make an informed decision or produce a report.
* What was the technical nature of the data?
* How did you sort the relevant from the irrelevant data?
* How did you organise your report to convey the information in the best way?
* How was the data stored for future reference?
* How would you approach a similar situation now?
Competence 2 – Communicates Effectively
Description PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your response.
Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing. Understands the needs of both the technical and management audience.
Working with a wide range of customers requires the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately. Describe when you have used your communication skills effectively to convey technical information and ideas clearly to others.
* What was the subject matter?
* What method of communication did you use?
* How did you ensure understanding?
* What was the result?
* What would you change next time?
Competence 3 – Works in Teams
Description PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your response.
Description: Works co-operatively as part of a team to achieve common goals, especially as part of a dispersed team.
Provide an example of how you have worked within your team or with other teams to achieve a common goal. What was the role you played and how did working co-operatively improve the outcome?
* What did the team accomplish that an individual could not?
* What was your role and personal contribution?
* What elements contributed to the success?
* Why was it successful?
* How would you replicate this in a nationally dispersed team?
Note: We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome flexible working patterns and job share. If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service.
The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body and is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks for external recruitment. For information on becoming a Crown supplier, visit the Crown Commercial Service website.
Artificial intelligence note: AI can be a useful tool to support your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of the application.
Seniority level
* Associate
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Other, Information Technology, and Management
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