Title

Hydrometry and Telemetry – NCEA Catchment Lead – 33263

City/Town

Canterbury, Sevenoaks, West Malling

Region

South East

Vacancies

1

Salary Minimum

£34,320 Pro-rata

Post Type

Fixed Term

Job ID

33263

Closing date

26 May 2026

Published date

05 May 2026

Grade

Staff Grade 4

Role type

Operational Delivery, Science

Security check

Basic Check

Attachments

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Kent South London & East Sussex based Hydrometry & Telemetry team. 

This role will support the Natural Capital and Ecosystems Assessment (NCEA) project that aims to develop a sub-network of river flow sites, producing high quality data that can measure changes in the water environment, including the impacts of climate change.  

Delivery of the NCEA water quantity project will be based around assessing and improving the performance of existing flow monitoring stations. This will include:  

  • Quality assurance and management of hydrometric data quality. 
  • Supporting activities of the NCEA water quantity network, e.g. site selection and developing new analytical approaches, spot flow gaugings, upgrade projects to improve stage & flow monitoring. 
  • Being a champion for high quality river flow data and the NCEA flow sub-network. 

The Environment Agency protects and improves the environment and makes it a better place for people, wildlife and supports sustainable development. 


 You will be responsible for: 
- The management and maintenance of NCEA flow sites and supporting the team with other monitoring sites.  

- Ensuring our Hydrometric Network is robust, resilient and incident ready. 
- Data quality assurance. 
- Evolving our network to meet current and future needs. 
- Field-based work will be required as well as travel to local offices and nationally to meetings when required. 
 
These responsibilities will support the achievement of Area’s Monitoring outcomes for Monitoring and Operations. 
 

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. 

This is a fixed term assignment until 31/03/28 – Internal candidates, you must ensure you seek agreement from your line manager to apply for this role. 

The Team:

Hydrometry & Telemetry Team lead on Water Quantity monitoring.  

We’re a dispersed team and work with a wide range of technical and project teams across Kent, South London & East Sussex. 

We’re part of the Local Operations Directorate, within Environmental Monitoring department.  

We operate our instrumentation to ensure accurate data is available for customers 24/7. Our monitoring service underpins the Environment Agency’s responsibilities relating to flood warning, incident management and managing our water resources.  

Experience/Skills Required:

Experience/Skills Required: 

  • Geography / Science degree preferred. Qualified to A Level/ BTEC/Diploma in science subjects minimum.  
  • Capable of managing large quantities of data and IT systems, including Microsoft Office.  
  • Team player, excellent interpersonal skills to work collaboratively as part of our close-knit team.  
  • Plenty of initiative, organisation and practical skills and the ability to work independently on site.  
  • Analytical approach to problem solving with attention to detail.  
  • Excellent adherence to Health Safety & Wellbeing guidelines.  
  • Field work experience, ideally Hydrometric background.  
  • Practical problem solving   

It would be helpful but not essential, if you had experience of:  

  • Familiarity with communication technologies and/or networking. 
  • Water level, flow and rainfall instrumentation.  

With the nature of the role the below criteria are essential:  

  • Full UK driving licence.  
  • Ability to swim, as you will be working in/near water & outdoors year-round and lone working.  

A range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.

Contact and Additional Information:

You’ll be located at one of Kents EA sites however the role will involve field-based activities and some office-based work. We offer hybrid working. 

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel; some travel and overnights may be required. 

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.  

Our benefits package includes flexible working, 25 days annual leave and a Pension.  

Please read the candidate pack and generic role profile for more information. 

Any queries, contact [email protected]  
 
Applications are ‘blind’ assessed using your answers to the competency questions. 
 
Interviews will be held in person week commencing 15th June but may be subject to change.

Competence 1:
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Competence 1 Description:
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

This role involves making decisions on data, site improvements or workload required to run a site/patch effectively.

Can you provide an example of when you delivered a solution to a technical challenge by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions?  

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 this 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
Competence 2:
Data and Information Management
Competence 2 Description:
Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.

Please tell us about data you were responsible for managing and processing in your employment or education assignments.
Describe how you ensured the data was of the required standard and fit for purpose. What were the main challenges and how did you overcome them?
Competence 3:
H&T Instrumentation Operational Management
Competence 3 Description:
Knowledge of design, installation and maintenance of H&T operational monitoring equipment

Please describe an example of a time you managed hydrometry instrumentation. How did you: 

- Make sure the equipment was fit for purpose?  

- Verify the performance of the equipment? 

- Ensure the data was being stored effectively? 

If you do not have any prior experience with hydrometry instrumentation, please tell us about your experience using some other scientific/field-based equipment.

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.