HOW TO APPLY
The candidate pack will tell you everything you need to know about the capabilities we’re assessing. We’ll be looking at the same themes when you apply and at interview, so we recommend using the STAR Technique for both. We think your personal qualities are as important as your professional experience, and welcome applications from everyone.
We recruit on merit. This means our selection process is designed to be fair, open and equal.
1. Submitting your online application
We’ll ask for your employment details for at least three years and you can enter up to eight previous jobs. If there are any gaps, tell us about them. We’ll only need your CV if the application form asks for it. You can upload this and any extra information we ask for.
You may also be asked to upload an additional document, which will be specified on the application form. You can track your completed application through the site. You can view its status and any correspondence sent to you, along with the sender’s contact details. You can also edit your personal details. But, once sent, you can’t change your application. So check it thoroughly.
2. Guaranteed Interview Scheme
We guarantee an interview for any person with a disability, defined by the Equality Act 2010. To apply under this scheme, please go to the “Equality and Diversity” section of your online application.
Please note, the Guaranteed Interview Scheme secures an invitation to interview, providing you meet the minimum criteria, but it does not guarantee a job. At interview, all applicants will be marked solely on merit.
3. Sift assessment
A sift means we’ll assess your competency examples and other criteria. This helps us to decide whether to invite you for an interview. All assessments are blind sifted by an independent panel. Panels are made up of Environment Agency staff and external partners depending on nature of role.
4. Interview
We’ll contact you via email if you make it to the interview stage. This will explain how to arrange a slot.
Most interviews last about an hour and will assess you on the advertised criteria. We may ask you to prepare a presentation, business discussion or take part in a role play on a given subject area. If this is the case, we’ll tell you in advance.
5. Pre-appointment checks
If you’re successful, we’ll send you a provisional offer of employment, pending the pre-appointment checks specified in the job advert.
These checks can take several weeks and must be satisfactorily completed before we can make a formal offer of employment or agree a start date. Therefore, if you are in employment, please do not hand in your notice until a formal job offer is made.
All candidates will need to undergo a security check as part of the Environment Agency’s pre-employment checks.
You can find out more about the different types of security checks.
