Number of jobs available: 1
Region: South West
City/Town: Blandford Forum
Building/Site: Blandford
Grade: HEO
Organisation Grade: Lead Adviser
Post Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share
Role Type: Environment & Sustainability
Salary Minimum: ÂŁ27,273
Job description
Role description
As the freshwater agenda continues to grow within Natural England, we are looking to recruit a lead adviser to further develop our freshwater delivery in Dorset, working closely with the Environment Agency, the water companies, and the Catchment Partnership.
It is expected that candidates will need a good broad understanding of freshwater issues, in particular those relating to water quality and water resources. They should be familiar with the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 especially on biodiversity and water and have basic knowledge on the causes and effects of climate change.
As the freshwater agenda continues to grow within Natural England, we are looking to recruit a lead adviser to further develop our freshwater delivery in Dorset, working closely with the Environment Agency, the water companies, and the Catchment Partnership.
It is expected that candidates will need a good broad understanding of freshwater issues, in particular those relating to water quality and water resources. They should be familiar with the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 especially on biodiversity and water and have basic knowledge on the causes and effects of climate change.
Key Tasks
- Maintain up to date knowledge on areas of technical expertise required for the role and ensure that freshwater delivery is embedded and supported across Dorset and wider Wessex team.
- Deliver advice on water quality with specific emphasis on designated rivers, chalk rivers and designated transitional (estuarine) and coastal waters.
- Local Natural England lead for the Environment Agency’s development and delivery of River Basin Management Plans, Diffuse Water Pollution Plans, implementation of associated actions and reviews.
- Engage and work with the local Catchment Partnership, the development and delivery of associated Catchment Plans and projects to improve and restore the water environment and nature.
- Provide technical advice on water related casework, including basic hydrogeological advice on water abstraction, on pressures on water quality and advice on catchment and river processes arising in casework (e.g., in development planning, land management, Environment Agency, water company consultations).
- Working with water companies on their plans and their delivery of functions (e.g., Water Resource Management Plans, Drought Plans and Drainage Wastewater Management Plan Work) and identifying and developing water company investment within our priority areas to improve the natural environment.
- Contribute to discretionary advice income work associated with water company, Environment Agency and wider customers.
- Work with the Environment Agency on the development of their habitat creation programme, Flood Risk Management Plan and support of Natural Flood Management approaches.
- Work on relevant Natural England water related evidence projects, associated funding opportunities, and implementing water habitat improvement projects for people and nature.
Technical/specialist knowledge/qualifications – Essential
- Understand and apply relevant environmental and water legislation, policy and governance frameworks to your work.
- Understand how climate change will affect the water environment for people and nature and ways of improving resilience.
- Ability to identify how land interacts with the surrounding landscape and habitats e.g., through hydrological linkages.
- Ability to identify how proposals that would affect the water environment can impact (positively or negatively) on protected features, for example through source, pathway and receptor approaches or catchment drainage, nutrient cycles and river and floodplain processes.
- Ability to identify how proposals can contribute to environmental opportunities to enhance natural capital, restore ecosystem services and deliver biodiversity recovery.
- Understand and advise on appropriate actions to maintain or achieve favourable condition for water dependent features of SSSIs or international sites.
How to apply
We’ll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process. When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. STAR stands for:
- Situation
- Task
- Action
- Result
Examples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency. Please ensure you read the Candidate Information Pack before you begin completing the application form.
How to apply
We welcome and encourage applications from all communities. Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview. If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or there is anything else you would like the panel to take into consideration, you should notify us of this at application stage where possible, or well in advance of your interview.
This vacancy uses competency-based assessment. We’ll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process:
- Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
- Personal Effectiveness
- Work delivery
- Technical Skills /Specialist Knowledge
When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. Give us an example of how you have demonstrated the competency (which can be work related or from another area of your life) and tell us about the Situation, the specific Task you had to undertake, the specific Actions you took, and the Result (both immediate and in a wider context) of your doing so.
Please note that STAR format is not required when answering the Technical Skills & Knowledge competency.
Examples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency.The team
Office locations: Dorchester or Blandford Forum
Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural Environment?
If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.
The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:
Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive;
- Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change;
- Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods;
- Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature, and
- Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing.
We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.
Find out more about the work of Natural England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england
Benefits
Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours and other flexible working patterns to help employees achieve a good work/life balance and maintain their health and wellbeing.
Natural England provides excellent opportunities for career progression, training and development tailored to your role. From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Everyone has 10 days to devote to personal learning and development, as well as an additional 3 days to volunteer.
You will have access to Civil Service Pension and benefits arrangements and generous leave allowances (33 day per year pro rata), as well as flexible working, to help you achieve a work-life balance that works for you and us.
You will have access to a range of benefits including discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle to work scheme, and childcare vouchers. You can also join the Civil Service Sport club which offer discounts on a range of sports and leisure opportunities as well as social events.
Natural England is a fantastic place to work, where difference is celebrated.
We’re committed to fairness and equality for all, so you feel valued for who you are and what you do. Our shared values help us work together to benefit the communities we serve. Our thriving employee-led diversity networks support our inclusive culture and contribute to our Diversity Action Plan.
Location
Ideally you will be based in Dorset at the Natural England Dorchester or Blandford office. Natural England is adopting hybrid working – which means our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All new staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England and the expectation is that all staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographical area. Full time staff are expected to attend their associated office for a minimum of one day a week.
Staff members are required to carry out all their duties working in this way and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Travel expenses will be paid if work related travel is required but does not apply to travel between home and your associated office.
National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area. View a map of our office locations here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-office-locations
Pay
It is Natural England policy to employ at the entry point of the salary range.Contact and additional information (Recruiters Name, Email and Phone Number)
Additional information
A Driving Licence is essential for this role
Flexible working patterns will generally be accommodated unless stated otherwise.
Candidates with disabilities will automatically be put forward to the interview stage provided they satisfy the minimum criteria for the role.
Closing date: Friday 15th September 2023
Job contact (for more information about the role):
Mark Taylor (mark.taylor@naturalengland.org.uk)
Vacancy Manager (for all queries about the recruitment process):
Tania Carvisiglia (tania.carvisiglia@naturalengland.org.uk)
Closing Date: 15/09/2023, 23:55 hours
Interview dates: Expected: September 2023
Level of security checks required: Basic Check (BPSS)
Competence 1: Professional competency
Detail
Competence 1 – Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
Description
- Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England
- Work proactively and collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to identify and secure opportunities to deliver gains for people and nature.
Competence 2: Professional competency
Detail
Competence 2 – Personal Effectiveness
Description
. Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience
- Be ambitious, identify and adopt ways to make improvements in your team and Natural England and inspire others to act
- Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence.
Competence 3: Professional competency
Detail
Competence 3 – Work delivery
Description
. Consider the financial implications of your work and seek income from our products and services
Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures
Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines.
Competence 4: Professional competency
Detail
Competence 4 – Technical Skills /Specialist Knowledge
Description
There is no requirement to use STAR format to demonstrate this competency.
Understand and apply relevant environmental and water legislation, policy, and governance frameworks to your work
- Ability to identify how land interacts with the surrounding landscape and habitats e.g., through hydrological linkages
- Ability to identify how proposals that would affect the water environment can impact (positively or negatively) protected features (landscape, geology and geomorphology, biodiversity and culturally historic) for example through source, pathway and receptor approaches and through effects on catchment drainage, nutrient cycles and river and floodplain processes
- Ability to identify how proposals can contribute to environmental opportunities to enhance natural capital, restore ecosystem services and halt biodiversity decline and deliver biodiversity recovery
- Understand and advise on appropriate actions to maintain or achieve favourable condition for water dependent protected sites.
Supporting document 1
Candidate Pack Natural England v1.5.docx – 1319KB
Converted File Candidate Pack Natural England v1.5.docx.pdf – 805KB
Organisation: Natural England
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