City/Town
Welwyn Garden City
Region
London, South East
Vacancies
1
Salary Minimum
£43,198
Post Type
Permanent
Job ID
33310
Closing date
23 Feb 2026
Published date
23 Jan 2026
Grade
Staff Grade 5
Role type
Operational Delivery
Post type
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Compressed Hours
Security check
Basic Check
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 recruiting an experienced Engagement Specialist to support the effective programme delivery of several exciting major developments, with particular focus on one of the UK’s most high‑profile infrastructure projects, the expansion of Heathrow Airport. In this role, you will play a central role in how the Environment Agency engages with partners, stakeholders, and colleagues.
As our Engagement Specialist, you will:
- Work with a wide range of stakeholders including area and national teams, external customers, Defra colleagues, and elected representatives.
- Lead strategic stakeholder engagement, ensuring our approach is proactive, pragmatic, and effective across complex, multi‑partner projects.
- Manage information requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), ensuring responses are clear, timely, and compliant.
- Coordinate key relationships through internal and external communications and act as a link between technical teams and non-technical external audiences.
- Lead internal communications, helping our colleagues and contributing staff stay informed, motivated, and aligned with our projects.
- Maintain awareness of political and social issues which may impact our engagement, advising the team on risks and opportunities.
- Contribute to national engagement networks, bringing learning, and updates to strengthen our team and work.
Hertfordshire and North London Area have a proven history of working with partners in the delivery of large and complex infrastructure projects. Demonstrating that we add value by helping de-risk programme delivery, whilst maintaining regulatory duties. Examples include Crossrail, Heathrow T5, M25 widening, Luton Airport, and the Olympic Park.
Building on this success, the Green Growth & Delivery Team are engaging with several major projects including Heathrow Airport, Meridian Water, and Berkeley Homes.
In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your:
- ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.
- commitment to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in all decision-making actions, ensuring engagement is representative and inclusive.
- ability to work confidently, both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- proven experience in stakeholder engagement and management, within large or complex projects.
- excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt style and technique across different formats including presentations, written briefings, and digital communications to keep diverse audiences informed and engaged.
- passion for protecting the natural environment and improving the urban environment through green growth to ensure better places for the communities we serve and the ecosystems we protect.
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given. #LI-DNI R
We work in a hybrid way, based at our Welwyn Garden City office, using smart tools to stay connected. Travel to external venues for meetings and site visits will be required.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact [email protected]
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held in person at our Welwyn Garden City office, around two weeks after the closing date.
QUESTION:
Give an example of a time you have had to communicate effectively with a large and diverse group of stakeholders.
QUESTION:
Describe a time when you have implemented an innovative solution to a work issue.
QUESTION:
Give an example of when you have built trust to influence a successful outcome.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using the first lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
Feedback is generally not available at sift stage
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
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 clearly 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. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
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.