Number of jobs available: 1
Region: North East
City/Town: Newcastle
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Operational Delivery
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share
Salary Minimum: £33,000
Closing Date: 20/11/2024, 23:55 hours
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Candidate pack
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Job description
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.
Are you passionate about river restoration and working with natural processes? Do you have experience influencing project teams to ensure geomorphological processes are considered in project development, design and delivery?
The NorthEast is diverse part of the country with a mix of rural/urban areas, upland/lowland rivers, species and habitats. We are looking for a geomorphologist to help us protect, restore and enhance the natural environment. The work will be predominantly in the fluvial environment, but we welcome coastal and estuarine geomorphologists who have proven transferrable skills.
As the Geomorphology Technical Officer in the team, you will work with our Technical Specialist to input into a wide range of Environment Agency activities, including flood risk programmes, environmental permitting activities, Environment Programme projects and Water Framework Directive activities.
Key parts to the role:
- Communicating clearly to build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners;
- Identifying and promoting opportunities within our flood risk management projects that use nature-based solutions to create more climate-resilient places and improve the environment;
- Providing valuable geomorphology recommendations and advice into our permitting and planning processes;
- Ensuring geomorphology is considered within area wide strategic planning, such as through water industry investment plans and Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
- Working with a wide range of teams you will proactively identify and influence opportunities.
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.
The team
The Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology team is a supportive group of technical experts with wide-ranging knowledge, skills & experience. Working together we create a better place, protecting and enhancing our diverse habitats and wildlife.
We sit in the WaterLand and Biodiversity Operations department, providing technical expertise to ensure accurate evidence, data & decision making.
You’ll be a part of a tightknit national community of geomorphology professionals who will support you in your role & development.
Experience/skills required
We are seeking a geomorphologist with a relevant degree and/or over 3 years of relevant experience.
You will need:
- Enthusiasm and motivation: As a geomorphology advocate, you’ll be passionate about your topic and be able to promote and champion it. You’ll have excellent communication skills, be able to influence a broad range of customers, and have the adaptability to deliver priorities.
- Sound technical knowledge: You will have a good understanding of geomorphology principles and how to apply them.
- Working with others: You are known for your ability to work with others, seeing their point of view and being able to reach common ground and mutual understanding
- Full UK driving licence: this role is office based but involves site visits.
You will also have:
- The ability to build an appropriate evidence base to support your recommendations and decisions
- The ability to prioritise to secure outcomes
Contact and additional information
The base location for this role is Newcastle, but we currently adopt a hybrid working arrangement, split between home and office. Site visits across the Northeast are part of the role.
Everyone starting a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will also be provided with all the equipment required for your role.
For more information about working for us, our employee benefits and how to apply, please read the candidate pack and additional information document.
For questions relating to this role, please contact alice.fitch@environment-agency.gov.uk or helen.cheeseman@environment-agency.gov.uk.
This vacancy closes on 20 November. Interviews are expected be held on 27 or 28 November face-to-face at Tyneside House in Newcastle.
Competence 1: Communicates Effectively
Description
Please note we do not assess CVs. Your answers to the capability questions will be used for shortlisting purposes. Your examples do not necessarily have to be work related, please use the best example from any area of your life. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering the questions. Try to utilise the full word count where possible. A link to the capability dictionary, which outlines some of the key things we’re looking for in your answers, can be found in the Candidate Pack attached to the advert.
Communication is key in this role – you’ll be in contact with a range of internal teams and external partners so will need to be able to communicate about geomorphology priorities effectively.
Please tell us, with an example(s), how you communicate well. Look at the definition and list below, but don’t worry if your example doesn’t tick every bullet point. The important thing is to show how you communicate effectively.
Try to create a good structure so that your answer is clear – we recommend reading ‘How to apply – Environment Agency (environmentagencycareers.co.uk) before you write anything!
The definition is: you listen and question to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
The indicators for this competency are:
- Is an active listener, has time for people; seeks their contribution.
- Uses full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding.
- Considers needs of and impact on audience, anticipates reactions and uses appropriate communication method and style.
- Prepares written reports and data in clear, readable and accurate manner, using appropriate grammar, syntax and style.
- Ensures communication is two-way; responds and acts on feedback
- When presenting is easily understood and inspires attention from an audience.
- Is clear and to the point when speaking.
- Anticipates the main issues and prepares responses.
Competence 2: Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Many of our outcomes rely on good relationships with both internal and external customers and partners.
Please give an example of a time when you have persuaded others to take action to make an environmental improvement you are proud of.
Try to create a good structure so that your answer is clear – we recommend reading ‘How to apply – Environment Agency (environmentagencycareers.co.uk) before you start.
The definition of ‘Influences and Persuades others’ is: 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.
The indicators for this competency are:
· Gathers relevant data, marshals facts and prepares sound arguments
· Listens to other’s opinions, understanding their viewpoints, needs and concerns; responds appropriately; lobbies others in advance
· Presents a credible case and explains the benefits to the audience/listener; anticipates the main objections/arguments
· Responds to the needs and style of the listener when influencing.
· Seeks to achieve a “win-win” outcome and develop the relationship with the person(s) being influenced.
· Prepares convincing written arguments on complex issues, presenting information logically, concisely and persuasively.
· Able to modify and reformulate case, read the listener’s mood and adjust accordingly
· Plans and prepares influencing strategies for key players and opinion leaders.
Competence 3: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Taking decisions and solving problems is all about finding and delivering optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Please tell us about a time when you delivered a successful geomorphological outcome by resolving issues and taking decisions.
Try to create a good structure so that your answer is clear – we recommend reading ‘How to apply – Environment Agency (environmentagencycareers.co.uk) before you start.
The indicators for this competency are:
· Uses previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions.
· Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
· Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action.
· Seeks out and considers the best available information before making decisions. Probes, checks and confirms veracity of data as appropriate.
· Confronts head-on difficult situations where major decisions have to be made quickly.
· Makes sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales.
· Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.
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.
