Number of jobs available: 3
Region: East Midlands, East of England, North East, North West, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
City/Town: Birmingham , Bristol , Exeter , Nottingham , Sheffield , Warrington
Grade: Staff Grade 3
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Environment & Sustainability
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share
Salary Minimum: £28,607
Closing Date: 12/03/2025, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
Job Profile – 30452.docx – 58KB
Converted File Job Profile – 30452.docx.pdf – 86KB
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 30452.docx – 2043KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 30452.docx.pdf – 717KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
We are seeking proactive and highly motivated individuals to join our Water Quality Permit Modernisation team (WQPM). You will work with water companies, industry, businesses and householders to help create a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment. You will be given the training to develop your technical skills.
The work will involve identifying permits which can be brought up to modern standard, by assessing against permit review trigger criteria and consideration of whether the activities on site have not changed to the extent that the operator is required to submit a new permit application. You will use the information held on existing systems and additional information from operators to create a permit that meets our current regulatory requirements.
You will work with a team of dispersed permitting officers, based at one of our offices in the above locations. We currently operate a hybrid working model where 20% of your time will be in the office. Some national travel may be required.
The key things we’re looking for are transferrable skills and capabilities, so do not be put off applying if you don’t have a degree and/or you don’t have experience in this sector.
As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve, to achieve this we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion. We also welcome applications for part-time hours.
The team
This is an exciting opportunity to join the newly formed WQPM team which sits within Permitting – National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM). As a permitting officer working in the WQPM team, you will play a vital role in the delivery of the Permit Modernisation Programme. You will be investigating legacy permits, with the end goal to issue a permit variation in current Environmental Permit Regulation (EPR 2016) format that translates the permit conditions.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
We expect successful candidates to have:
Experience dealing with customers.
Strong written and verbal communications skills.
Sound organisational skills with the ability to prioritise your own case load and meet deadlines.
Proficient in IT, including the standard Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint etc) with the ability to learn specialised systems.
A keen eye for detail and the ability to produce high quality work.
Additionally, you will need to be confident in:
Making risk-based decisions.
Working within both a physical and virtual team environment.
Self-directed learning (in addition to the training that will be given).
Desirable
Have awareness/knowledge of water quality issues and the policies surrounding them.
Minimum Grade 4/C in GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent).
A degree, preferably in a science or humanities subject, OR 3 ‘A’ level qualifications or equivalent in a relevant subject, OR significant professional experience of water quality permitting or regulation.
Contact and additional information
You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during the incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and workplace adjustments will be available to support you with your incident role. Further information can be found within the candidate pack.
All interviews via MS Teams.
Successful candidates may be kept on a reserve list for any future vacancies which may arise within the next 6 months.
For further information:
Bev Bremner, Water Quality Permit Modernisation Team Leader
Beverley.Bremner@environment-agency.gov.uk
Or
WQPermitting.Recruitment@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Question: Using an example, describe a time when you have been individually responsible for making a decision to affect an outcome or achieve a goal.
Competence 2: Communicates Effectively
Description
Communicates effectively
Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
Question: Give an example of a time when you had to explain an idea or process to someone who wasn’t familiar with it. How did you ensure they understood it?
Competence 3: Achieves Results
Description
Achieves results
Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results
Question: Please give an example of a time when you have had to manage your workload to deliver a challenging piece of work. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
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.
