Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National, South East
City/Town: London, Reading , Welwyn Garden City , West Malling , Worthing , Various
Grade: Staff Grade 6
Post Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Role Type: Environment & Sustainability
Salary Minimum: £50,409
Job description
It’s a fantastic time to work for the Environment Agency as we the tackle the climate and nature emergency. As part of the national Operations Catchment Services water resources strategic planning team, you will be at the heart of ensuring that water companies and regional groups have robust and compliant plans to ensure resilient water supplies, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment.
You will provide technical leadership on the strategic water resource planning issues in the South East, and nationally, influencing and providing advice and expertise into the development of water company statutory plans and regional plans. You will provide coaching, mentoring and technical steer to our water resources planners.
In addition you will:
- Shape national approaches to water resources planning, working alongside other water resources leads
- Provide strategic advice and technical support to the water companies in the South East, including Portsmouth and South East water.
- Work alongside the Environment Agency regional lead to advise the South East Water Resources group
- Provide risk management and decision making ensuring effective, efficient delivery of the Water Resource work programme across the country
- Be aware of the issues facing water resources in England, specifically for the South East geography.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and be to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment. Full training and workplace adjustments will be available to support you with your incident role.
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.
The team
You will be a member of the of the South East Water Resources Team in Operations Catchment Services, providing specialist technical Water Resource planning expertise at water company and regional scale to maintain environmental performance within Operations Catchment Services and to the wider business.
Ideally you will live in or near the South East as regular travel for face to face meetings will be required. A mix of home and office working is appropriate.
Experience/skills required
Your excellent technical skills will be complimented by your ability to achieve results, solve problems, and communicate technical issues in a clear and concise manner to a range of audiences. You will ideally be able to demonstrate the following:
- Excellent knowledge of the Water Resource challenges in the South East.
- Political awareness and sensitivity
- Influence and persuade key stakeholders, such as water companies
- Expertise in a Water Resource technical discipline with an understanding of Water Resource planning techniques and awareness of new methods in development such as natural capital accounting
- Excellent communication skills, experience of managing and mitigating risks
- Ability to work across the business
- Coaching and mentoring skills to support planners across the Operations Catchment Services Water Resources community
- Excellent judgement, problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Excellent planning skills, an ability to handle multiple priorities and deliver to tight timescales.
Contact and additional information
There will be an information session on 24th of May. For more details, please email:
Susie Rowlett at SRowlett@environment-agency.gov.uk@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Interviews will be held virtually in June 2024.
Job description attachment 1
Job Profile – 29019.docx – 59KB
Converted File Job Profile – 29019.docx.pdf – 65KB
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 29019.docx – 2041KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 29019.docx.pdf – 553KB
Closing Date: 02/06/2024, 23:55 hours
Level of security checks required: Basic Check
Competence 1: Influences and Persuades Others
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.
Definition: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
Question: Describe a time when you have successfully persuaded a key stakeholder, such as a Water Company, to follow your advice on the direction of a major project or piece of work.
We recommend the “STAR” approach when assessing these examples (i.e. what was the Situation; what was the Task you were required to do; what Actions did you take; what was the Result). Please refer to the candidate pack attached to read the capability dictionary and further information.
Competence 2: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
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.
Definition – Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions
Question: Describe a situation when you successfully resolved a technical Water Resources issue and the steps you took to achieve this.
We recommend the “STAR” approach when assessing these examples (i.e. what was the Situation; what was the Task you were required to do; what Actions did you take; what was the Result). Please refer to the candidate pack attached to read the capability dictionary and further information.
Competence 3: Strategic Environment Planning
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.
Definition: Develops, delivers, and implements strategic plans for the sustainable use, protect and improvement of our environment. Understands current and future environmental pressures.
Question: Describe your understanding of the Environment Agency’s role in strategic water resources planning and the water challenges facing the South East.
We recommend the “STAR” approach when assessing these examples (i.e. what was the Situation; what was the Task you were required to do; what Actions did you take; what was the Result). Please refer to the candidate pack attached to read the capability dictionary and further information.
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.
