Overview
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; 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 role involves advising water companies on their plans and holding them to account for the protection of the water environment. You will be part of the teams that ensure our environment is protected now and for future generations.
What you will do:
1. 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 assessing Water Company proposals to meet bathing water standards and developing innovative methods to achieve this.
2. You will work closely with Environment Agency teams 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 Bathing Waters outcomes.
3. Responding to incidents is a central part of the role. 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 and may attract an additional payment.
4. The team is part of Operations Catchment Services, working to secure outcomes across key stakeholders and influence significant investment in the water environment. This post will be part of the OCS Water Quality team.
We are a dispersed team, meeting face to face when needed. This allows flexibility on location for the role. Training and mentoring support will be provided.
Essential experience and skills
* Knowledge of water quality planning, bathing water regulations, understanding of the water industry and price review processes. Excellent communication and networking skills for working with Environment Agency colleagues and external stakeholders.
* 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 to meet standards and timescales.
* Work experience in an environmental discipline – for example Water companies, Environmental consultancies, regulatory roles, research and education, or Environmental charities.
Desirable
* Degree or postgraduate qualification in an environmental discipline (e.g., Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Ecology, Environmental science, Sustainability, Data science and analytics).
* Experience in water quality modelling.
Additional information
You will be working as part of a dispersed team and are 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 and welcome applications from BAME, disabled, female and LGBT+ candidates who are under-represented. We welcome flexible working patterns, including part-time and job share. If you have questions regarding the vacancy or application process, contact the recruiting manager at 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. Competences include:
* Data and Information Management
* Communicates Effectively
* Works in Teams
Further information on competencies and example questions will be provided during the interview process. Please note: some sections contain guidance notes for interview responses (e.g., STAR) and must be used as part of your preparation.
The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body and is committed to equality of opportunity and flexible working. The organisation is not part of HM Civil Service and does not offer continuous service in the same way as Crown Servants. If you are applying from local government or other bodies, you may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy purposes; consult your HR team if unsure.
Note on AI
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. All examples and statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of the application. Guidance on appropriate AI usage is available on Civil Service Careers.
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