Job Description
The Environment Agency are 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 are looking for an urban drainage advisor with sewer hydraulic modelling experience. This is an exciting and busy time for the wastewater sector. You will join an experienced and supportive national team working to design and implement new regulatory approaches, enabling strategic change in the way we regulate and work with sewerage companies in delivering their storm and emergency overflow improvement programmes.
You will apply your experience of building and using sewer hydraulic and modelling tools to inform our guidance to the sector and assure programme delivery. Working proactively with Environment Agency teams and external organisations, the role will lead the development of audit processes for water quality investigations carried out under the Storm Overflows Assessment Framework and Environment Act. You will also be responsible for co‑developing training courses on Urban Pollution Management (UPM), responding to technical queries, and coaching staff on sewerage and water quality investigations.
We’re a dispersed team and work with a wide range of teams across the country involved in water industry regulation and water quality planning. Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You’ll have the option 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 will be available to support you with your incident role should you choose to have one.
Responsibilities
* Lead the development of audit processes for water quality investigations under the Storm Overflows Assessment Framework and Environment Act.
* Co‑develop training courses on Urban Pollution Management (UPM).
* Respond to technical queries and coach staff on sewerage and water quality investigations.
* Provide business continuity support and incident response, if opted for.
* Engage effectively with internal and external customers across a dispersed team.
Qualifications and Experience
* A relevant degree such as civil engineering, geography or environmental science is desirable, although alternative qualifications may be considered along with relevant continued professional experience.
* Experience of sewer modelling and/or river quality impact modelling carried out for UPM studies, including model audits.
* Knowledge of environmental planning and the regulation of Water and Sewerage Companies.
* Excellent organisational skills and effective coaching ability.
* Experience of embedding new approaches into a business, developing new processes through collaborative relationships.
* Office base location is flexible; occasional travel or overnight stays to attend meetings may be required.
Competencies
1. Numerical Modelling and Forecasting – describe sewer and/or river quality impact models you have developed, their purpose, audit or QA processes followed, problems encountered and how these were resolved.
2. Strategic Environment Planning – develop, deliver and implement strategic plans for the sustainable use, protection and improvement of our environment. Provide a summary of your technical knowledge and experience from the wastewater sector and describe how you have applied environmental planning with a significant positive impact on water quality.
3. Coaches Others – use a variety of methods, including direct instruction, coaching and feedback, to help others develop. Provide an example of where you successfully enhanced the capability of a group of people within your organisation or an external organisation.
4. Shapes Organisational Approach & Delivery – shape organisational approach and delivery, inform Government Policy or design, implement and support an approach to translate it into cost‑effective operational activity delivering outcomes for people and the environment. Describe a process you have developed and embedded at an organisational level.
Application Process
Applications will be “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. Interviews will be held using MS Teams during the week commencing 12th January 2026. If you consent to be recruited onto a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and we may offer you an alternative post.
Contact and additional information: office base location is flexible, and you should be prepared to occasionally travel or stay overnight to attend meetings. For further information on this role please contact: phil.hulme@environment-agency.gov.uk.
For more information about working for us and how to apply please read the Candidate Pack and Additional information document.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
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 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.
Additional Notes
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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