Job description
If you are passionate about our water environment and want to have a lasting impact on water resources whilst ensuring it is protected and enhanced for future generations and the environment, then you’ll want to be part of the Integrated Environment Planning Team at the Environment Agency.
At the Environment Agency we aspire for inclusivity to thrive in our workforce. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with experience of water resource planning to help us manage and respond to the many demands on the water environment in the Thames catchment and surrounding area.
As a Water Resource Specialist, you will:
Be jointly responsible for the local delivery of water resources workstreams service
Influence and support the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP)
Support development and assessment of water company plans
Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external customers, including water companies and abstractors
Contribute to drought planning and response
Maintain and develop the water resources evidence base
Lead and/or provide specialist input to projects and working groups
Provide advice to senior managers to support resolution of complex issues
Work with colleagues and partners to seek optimal solutions to environmental problems and advise on regulatory requirements
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be asked to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment, and full training will be available to support you with your incident role. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs.
Join the Environment Agency and help us create a better place for people, wildlife, and businesses.
The Integrated Environment Planning (IEP) team is part of the wider Environment Planning and Engagement (EPE) department. You will join a fantastic team of environment planners and water resources specialists.
IEP provides environmental evidence that informs and influences decisions on investment for water resource management and improvement.
The team works to strengthen our evidence base and drive integrated delivery to achieve the best outcomes for the Thames and neighboring catchments.
What do you need?
Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience in the environmental sector.
Proven ability to work as a self-starter, delivering key project tasks independently.
Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to prepare and present clear, evidence-based reports.
Good communication skills, with the ability to present clear, evidence-based reports, and tailor to audience.
Experience gathering, maintaining and quality assuring data and information.
Strong relationship‑building skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
Sensitivity to customer needs and ability to deliver outcomes through and with stakeholders.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan, track, deliver and evaluate work effectively, including ability to prioritise and deliver under tight deadlines.
Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a larger, cross-functional/multidisciplinary team.
Experience translating internal guidance and instructions into effective local delivery.
You’ll have a range of development opportunities, and appropriate training will be provided.
This an office-based role, located in our Wallingford office. There is some ability to work flexibly depending on business need, including home working, site visits and travel to alternative office locations.
We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, so please clearly include your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We expect interviews to be held in person, mid-July.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
For any questions relating to this role, please contact Rachel Heath at [email protected] or [email protected].
QUESTION: Please tell us about a project or initiative that you had to deliver through others and to a tight deadline or under challenging circumstances.
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
QUESTION: Tell us about a time when you have had to make a decision or solve a problem under challenging circumstances. How did you make your decision and what impact did it have?
QUESTION: Describe a time when you had to persuade others to support an idea or way of working. What approach did you take, and what was the result?
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.
