Number of jobs available: 1
Region: East of England
City/Town: Brampton , Ely , Ipswich , Norwich
Building/Site: Ely Office, Brampton Office, Dragonfly House, Iceni House
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Role Type: Environment & Sustainability
Salary Minimum: £29,706
Job description
Groundwater is an important resource in our area utilised for potable, agricultural and industrial uses. In addition, groundwater baseflow contributions to rivers and wetlands are vital to their ecological health. The successful candidate will play a role in safeguarding and improving this vital resource for future generations.
We are looking for someone who would like to pursue a career in Hydrogeology. As a trainee hydrogeologist you would be undertaking a funded part time higher education MSc course in Hydrogeology while working in the Groundwater and Contaminated Land Team. You will be provided time off for studies and exams with the details arranged upon appointment.
Main duties of the groundwater and contaminated Land team include:
• Undertaking Hydrogeological Risk Assessments.
• Analysing pumping test data.
• Supporting internal teams and customers by providing technical hydrogeological and permitting advice.
• Working with partners to deliver environmental outcomes.
• Responding to planning applications
• Reviewing land contamination reports
• Working in a team to help deliver DEFRA’s 25-year environment plan
In addition to your part time studies there are local and national technical specialists who can offer support and guidance.
The roles offer an excellent opportunity for anyone wanting to grow a career in hydrogeology.
The Environment Agency take part in incident response. Our new Inclusive Incident Management Policy has been developed to support all new starters to find an incident role to suit their individual needs and circumstances. Full training will be provided.
Please note that our Brampton Office is in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
For more info on working with us see https://environmentagencycareers.co.uk/
The team
The Groundwater and Contaminated Land Team is multi-functional team focused on protecting both the quality and quantity of our groundwater resources. The team provides technical support to internal teams and external customers on a range of groundwater related issues including:
- Abstraction licencing
- Permitting
- Planning advice
- Catchment management
- Groundwater vulnerability
The team also provides technical input to enforcement cases and incident response activities where groundwater is at risk.
Experience/skills required
You will require a relevant degree which meets the entry requirements for a UK Hydrogeology MSc course. Birmingham and Newcastle universities both offer part time MSc courses. Strathclyde university also offers a distance taught course.
Entry requirements vary between courses however the common requirements include a minimum of a 2:1, 2:2 or international equivalent in subjects such as:
-Engineering, Geography, Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Computer Sciences and Geomatics.
Other skills required:
- Ability to prioritise your work
- Develop skills to make risk based decisions based on best available evidence.
- Experience of using a variety of information sources and software such as Geographical Information Systems to help make technical decisions.
Professional membership is strongly encouraged, and it is desirable for the candidate to be a member of (or working towards) professional body membership.
Full UK driving licence is helpful.
Contact and additional information
In East Anglia we want to create a diverse workplace where individuals are respected, valued and listened to. We’re all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where we grow and learn together.
It is our ambition to champion diversity through building a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.
We offer a fantastic benefits package including flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and an award-winning Pension Fund. See the candidate pack for more details.
Interviews are likely to be via MS Teams but there’s potential to arrange face-to-face ones.
For further information relating to this role, please contact James Watson on 07810 656592 or james.watson@environment-agency.gov.uk or Jonathan Thompson on 07776 172328 or jonathan.thompson@environment-agency.gov.uk
Job description attachment 1: Candidate Pack – 24993.docx – 1058KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 24993.docx.pdf – 612KB
Job description attachment 2: Job Profile – 24993.pdf – 179KB
Closing Date: 04/01/2023, 23:55 hours
Level of security checks required: Basic Check
Competence 1: Achieves Results
Description
Please note we do not assess CVs. Answers to these competency questions will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your responses. You have up to 250 words so please do use them to tell us what we need to know about you.
Please provide an example of a piece of work you have delivered to a high standard. Please explain how you ensured you met those high standards and how you prioritised and organised your time or resources to ensure you achieved what was required in a timely manner.
Competence 2: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Please provide an example of where you have had to make a difficult decision, or a decision based on incomplete information, in order to solve a complex problem? Please describe how you reached the decision including what tools and information you used to help inform the decision and how you came to select your chosen course of action.
Competence 3: Communicates Effectively
Description
Please provide an example where you have delivered excellent customer service. Please explain what the situation was and what communication styles and techniques you used to ensure your message was communicated clearly and understood.
Competence 4: Scientific Knowledge
Description
Please describe what you consider to be the greatest pressures on groundwater resources in East Anglia and the environmental consequences of not managing these pressures? In your answer, please highlight what you believe to be the greatest water resources and water quality challenges to the sustainable management of groundwater.
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.
