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, drinking, washing, recreation, industry and health, our environment and economy depends 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 role involves advising water companies on their plans and holding them to account for protecting the water environment. You will be part of 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, 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 welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates and flexible working patterns, including part time and job share. If you have questions regarding the vacancy or application process, please 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. Competence areas include Data and Information Management, Communicates Effectively, and Works in Teams. Please note that responses should be original and drawn from your own experience; plagiarism may lead to disqualification.
The Environment Agency is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to flexible working patterns. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability.
Additional notes
We are not a part of HM Civil Service. If you are applying from Civil Service or local government, please review status with your HR team. Some sections below (if shown) relate to internal job postings or additional opportunities and should be treated as informational rather than requirements for this role.
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