Number of jobs available: 1
Region: South West
City/Town: Blandford Forum , Bridgwater , Exeter
Grade: Staff Grade 5
Post Type: Fixed Term
Role Type: Operational Delivery
Working Pattern: Full Time
Salary Minimum: £41,617 Pro-rata
Closing Date: 06/05/2025, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
Job Profile – 30861.docx – 55KB
Converted File Job Profile – 30861.docx.pdf – 88KB
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 30861.docx – 2042KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 30861.docx.pdf – 718KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
In Wessex we want to create a diverse workplace where people 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 jointly we all grow and learn together.
An exciting opportunity to join our Wessex Groundwater, Hydrology & Contaminated Land team, making a difference by protecting people and the environment through water resources hydrology.
We ’re looking for an enthusiastic hydrologist to apply technical skills and knowledge to help improve the quality of our hydrometric data and support national colleagues in reviewing and managing a sub-network of high-quality flow monitoring sites.
This role will support the Natural Capital and Ecosystems Assessment (NCEA) project aiming to develop a sub-network of river flow, sites, producing high quality data, that can measure changes in the water environment, including impacts of climate change.
Delivery of the NCEA water quantity project will be based around assessing the performance of existing flow monitoring stations.
This will include:
•Quality assurance and management of hydrometric data
•Support activities of the NCEA water quantity network, e.g. feedback on NCEA sub-network site selection
•Championing high quality flow data and the NCEA flow sub-network
The work covers the network sites in: Wessex, Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly and Solent & South Downs.
You will be the technical lead for delivery of the NCEA work in their Hub. This will involve building collaborative working relationships with hydrologists across hub teams, and with other specialists supporting NCEA Water Quantity work. You will work alongside experts in other teams to improve river flow data quality, provide local knowledge of NCEA water network activities, and represent the interest of the NCEA network.
The team
You will join our Wessex Groundwater, Hydrology & Contaminated Land Team. Our friendly team provides integrated hydrology service, analysing, modelling, forecasting and reporting water availability for end users and the environment. This includes important issues such as identifying and resolving factors affecting the quality of hydrological data and information, no deterioration of water courses under the Water Framework Directive, Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies, water company water resource management plans and much more.
Experience/skills required
We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who enjoys identifying and resolving problems, working with data, and building relationships with others. You’ll have a degree in geography or environmental sciences and ideally an MSc in a related subject to hydrology or equivalent work experience.
You’ll have a good understanding of hydrology concepts and can demonstrate skills in using hydrological tools and techniques to analyse and interpret hydrological data, apply hydrological concepts (such as hydrology processes and catchment behaviour) and different types of hydrological data. Some experience in hydrometric and hydraulic theory would be beneficial.
You will be proactive, demonstrate good use of initiative and demonstrate outstanding communication skills. Working effectively on your own or in teams will be a key part of this role.
We’re looking for candidates with enthusiasm and the right skills to succeed in the role. Training and support will be provided.
Contact and additional information
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Please see the candidate pack for more information on how you can support this.
The role can be based at our Blandford, Bridgwater or Exeter offices, with flexible home working included. As a dispersed team, you will be expected to travel to sites and other offices. Flexible working arrangements are in place to support your work/life balance.
Interviews will be held week commencing 19th May.
For questions relating to the role please contact Dawn Fullthorpe (Team Leader) dawn.fullthorpe@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Length of contract: Up to 31/03/2026
Competence 1: Achieves Results
Description
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV’s and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers.
Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Provide an example of a project you led or significantly contributed to. Include details of the project objectives, your actions and the result.
Competence 2: Communicates Effectively
Description
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV’s and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers.
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately, and persuasively through speech and writing.
Describe a time when you have explained a technical concept to a non-technical audience in a way that could be easily understood.
Competence 3: Builds and Sustains Relationships
Description
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV’s and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships.
Working collaboratively with other staff will be an essential part of making this assignment a success. Using an example please describe the most effective methods you have used to support key working relationships?
Role specific license requirements: Full UK Driving Licence
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.
