Senior Support Officer - 35718 - Environment Agency

Back

Title

Senior Support Officer – 35718

City/Town

National

Region

National

Vacancies

Salary Minimum

£34,320 Pro-rata

Post Type

Fixed Term

Job ID

35718

Closing date

02 Aug 2026

Published date

13 Jul 2026

Grade

Staff Grade 4

Role type

Project Delivery

Post type

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Part Time Term Time, Compressed Hours

Security check

Basic Check

Attachments

Candidate Pack

Apply here

Job description

We value a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community wishing to join a workforce which embraces difference and welcomes everyone.We are seeking a confident and motivated individual to join Project & Programme Delivery (PPD) as a Senior Support Officer in the Major Project Centre of Excellence. This is an important role, providing critical support to your colleagues in the Centre of Excellence and the Deputy Director for Major projects, contributing to initiatives that will embed transformation and drive continuous improvement across our major projects nationally.You will gain valuable exposure to how major project delivery in the EA is evolving to meet cross-government standards (The Teal Book). You will use your administrative, financial, data and organisational skills to enable Centre of Excellence Team objectives. You will build on your problem-solving experience and work creatively as the newly formed Team establishes its ways of working. You will develop your interpersonal skills, building a network of relationships across a variety of project delivery teams and external partners.The role will suit someone looking for an opportunity to shape a new team’s ways of working by applying their previous support experience, showing confidence when putting forward ideas and focussing on delivering results. The role will initially be for 6 months, with the possibility of extending for a further 6 months.Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment. Further information on incident response can be found within your candidate pack.

The Team:

The Major Projects Centre of Excellence is a new team being established under the Deputy Director for Major Projects. The team will support major project delivery teams to embed the requirements of the Teal Book. Drawing from experienced major project professionals the team ethos is ‘for major projects by major projects’, collectively working together as one team to improve delivery confidence and share best practice across the major project community.

Experience/Skills Required:

We are looking for someone who:• Is able to prioritise their workload and meet deadlines, with a track record of good organisational and planning skills• Is confident using their MS Office experience, particularly Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word and Powerpoint, as well as using new tools that improve efficiency (such as AI)• Has experience in accurate data management, report writing and presenting relevant information to stakeholders• Has good communication skills, with the ability to adapt to a variety of audiences• Is motivated by public value and delivering meaningful outcomes

Contact and Additional Information:

Benefits include generous pension provision and leave entitlement. Our flexible working supports a healthy work/life balance and offers numerous choices to accommodate the demands that personal commitments may present. Excellent training and learning opportunities are available, including personal and professional developmentBase location can be flexible but with an expectation of co-locating in Hub or delivery partner offices occasionally.For further information please contact: Sonal Mitra ([email protected])Interviews due to take place: early September 2026

Competence 1:

Works in Teams

Competence 1 Description:

Works co-operatively as part of a team to achieve common goals

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. "

Question: Give an example of where you have worked effectively as part of a team where you may have needed to manage differing priorities for several people.

"PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

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."

Competence 2:

Communicates Effectively

Competence 2 Description:

Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. "

Question: Describe a time when you have had to communicate a challenging message to get buy in and support from others.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

Competence 3:

Delivers Results Through Others

Competence 3 Description:

Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. "

Question: Please tell us how you have resourced a programme of work to deliver it through your team. What challenges did you face? How did you manage the programme and keep track of progress and performance?

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

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.

Apply here