Number of jobs available: 1
Region: East of England
City/Town: Ipswich , Norwich
Building/Site: DEFRA GRP DRAGONFLY HOUSE, NR3 1UB, DEFRA GRP EA ICENI HOUSE, IP3 9JD
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Environment & Sustainability, Science
Working Pattern: Full Time
Salary Minimum: £33,000
Closing Date: 19/05/2025, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
Job Profile – 30890.pdf – 255KB
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 30890.docx – 2042KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 30890.docx.pdf – 718KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
Did you know East Anglia is the driest part of the country and over half of our drinking water comes from groundwater. The area has significant population growth and intensive agricultural activities, so groundwater quantity and quality is under pressure.
Our role is to protect and enhance groundwater quality and quantity and you can help with that.
Working as part of a team you will be responding to customer consultations, both internal and external. You will be providing local groundwater information and advice on groundwater quality, sensitivity and risks. This is to help with general enquiries, groundwater discharge permitting (including pre application advice) and groundwater risk assessments of existing permitted sites.
With initial support from colleagues and suitable training, using the information we have available, you will interpret geology, groundwater quality and other information to provide a professional technical response.
This appointment is a fantastic opportunity to join the Environment Agency in a technical role and be part of an area groundwater team. The role is very flexible and we are happy to consider part time or full time applications.
In East Anglia 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.
It is our ambition to champion diversity through building a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. Please see the candidate pack for more on how you will support with this.
The team
The East Anglia (East) Groundwater and Contaminated land team covers Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and sits within Local Operations.
We’re based in either Norwich or Ipswich.
We provide specialist advice on:
- Groundwater Quality (monitoring, improvement plans and groundwater discharge permits)
- Contaminated Land (risk assessment and remediation, via planning consultations or statutory work)
We also give technical support to other regimes such as groundwater risk and Water Resources.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
- Relevant Scientific degree or equivalent
- A depth of knowledge that enables working with and presenting technical and scientific evidence authoritatively.
- Judgement / experience to tackle routine issues, seeking advice on more complex problems.
It would be helpful, but not essential, if you had:
- Hydrogeological Qualification
- Professional Membership in a relevant area
- Some understanding of incident management.
You’ll be willing to undertake specialist/or further training when necessary. The Agency is committed to supporting staff learning and development and Health, Safety & Wellbeing, through courses and experiences.
The candidate pack and generic role profile should be read along with the advert to understand the key accountabilities and skills needed.
Everyone starting in a new role with the Environment Agency will be given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you’ll be provided with all the equipment required for your role.
Contact and additional information
The role will be based at either our Ipswich or Norwich Offices; Our ways of working allow some flexibility to work from home, however you’ll be expected to attend your base location on a regular basis.
For information about working for us, incident support, our extensive range of employee benefits including flexible working, 25 days annual leave, a pension and how to apply, please read the candidate pack.
If you have any questions please do contact Jonathan Thompson via: jonathan.thompson@environment-agency.gov.uk
Interviews are planned to be held at the beginning of June, in person (face-to-face) at Ipswich, but may be subject to change.
Please note this role does NOT qualify for skilled worker sponsorship. Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration where you can seek professional expert advice.
Competence 1: Communicates Effectively
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. You have up to 250 words so please do use them to tell us what we need to know about you. See Candidate pack for more details and a link to our capability dictionary.
Give an example of when you have used data and information to support your communications.
- What were you communicating and who was your audience?
- How did you decide what to include or omit?
- What feedback did you receive from the audience/recipients?
- What did you learn from this?
- Competence 2: Achieves Results
Description
Tell us about your most significant achievement in your current/last role. - Why were you particularly proud of this?
- What feedback did you receive from your manager/colleagues?
- What were your learning points and is there anything you would do differently if in a similar position in the future?
Competence 3: Data and Information Management
Description
Give an example of when you have been responsible for producing data and information for reporting purposes.- How did you collect/compile the data/information?
- What was your role?
- What was it used for?
- How did you ensure the accuracy of the data?
- How did you share the information?
Competence 4: Environmental Awareness
Description
Why is it important that we protect groundwater from pollution? What human activity and land use pose a risk to groundwater quality in East Anglia and what are the chemicals of concern associated with these? How might these be controlled?
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.
