City/Town
Farnham
Region
London, South East
Vacancies
2
Salary Minimum
£29,751
Post Type
Permanent
Job ID
33924
Closing date
09 Apr 2026
Published date
25 Feb 2026
Grade
Staff Grade 3
Role type
Operational Delivery
Post type
Full Time, Part Time
Security check
Basic Check
Job description
Do you enjoy being outdoors? Do you care about our environment? Are you practical and adaptable and enjoy varied days?
Then this is a role for you!
You’ll mainly be working in the field; installing operating, and maintaining River, Rainfall and Groundwater measuring equipment. You will also process, quality assure and archive the data for use by a wide variety of users.
We’re looking for practical people who can use initiative to solve problems. You’ll play an important role in resolving technical issues, repairing monitoring equipment, ensuring that the Environment Agency is ready to respond during environmental incidents; helping to protect people and livelihoods from the impacts of flooding.
The role is varied, including both independent and team working. On any given day you could be taking a river flow measurement, re-wiring a piece of equipment, reconfiguring equipment using an app, or processing data to be sent to a colleague. You will be required to use simple tools, work outdoors in all weathers, and use computer skills.
This is an entry level role; we’ll provide on the job training led by our experienced team members as well as formal training provided by external training suppliers. You’ll be fully comfortable in the role before being asked to complete any site visits on your own.
Once trained, you’ll be responsible for organising your own schedule, allowing you to make use of our flexible working hours to fit your work around your home life.
We will help you to find an incident role to suit your strengths and circumstances. This may attract an additional payment; full training will be available.
Additionally, if you are interested in further study, with paid block release, there is the opportunity to become an Apprentice, working up to a degree, whilst still working within the team
The South Thames Team is based in Farnham and covers the Lower Thames, Loddon, Wey and Kennet watercourses. The team includes Technical Specialists, who will be on hand to train and support you, alongside the other H&T Officers and Team members.
The team works closely with the North Thames team
This video outlines what we do: https://www.powtoon.com/c/clW4k7131a5/2/m
If you would like to see more videos please email- contact details below.
The role will consist of a split of field work, office work and occasional home working. We require you to hold a full, manual UK Drivers Licence.
Ideally coming from a scientific or practical background we would be looking for some of the following qualities:
- Practical problem-solving skills
-Ability to use simple hand tools
- Willingness to work outside often in demanding weather conditions, all year round.
- Confidence working in and near water
- Confidence driving in all weather conditions and to remote locations.
-Computer skills
Any experience of the above will be useful, so please do consider applying if you feel you have some skills we can use.
You will cover sites across the southern part of Thames Area. Part of your time will be site based and the requirement for days in office will be agreed with your line manager. This is in keeping with our hybrid working model, which allows individuals to work at home or at our offices. An appropriate vehicle will be provided for field work. The role is eligible for a lease vehicle.
Interviews are likely to take place in April - face to face at our Farnham office
For further information contact - Alistair Wilkinson: [email protected]
We will be hosting a virtual meeting for those wanting to find out more about the role on 09/03/2025. Please email [email protected] for an invite
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION:
The role does include field work. We would like to know more about your practical experience. Please describe any work you have done outdoors. We recognise that you may not yet have experience directly related to environmental monitoring, so please share your experience of any field work. Remember to include details of where the work was, what the tasks were, equipment used.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION:
Within the role you will be required to assess and repair faults with monitoring equipment. Please describe the approach you take to assess and rectify something which is not working. We recognise that you may not yet have experience directly related to environmental monitoring, so please share your experience of any repair. You could use an example of anything you have solved – a piece of equipment or a system or even software.
Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION:
Accurate data collection and effective information management are essential in Hydrometry and Telemetry. Can you provide a example of a time when you were responsible for managing field data or technical information? How did you ensure its accuracy, integrity, and timely delivery?
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.