Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National
City/Town: All, Various
Grade: Staff Grade 6
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Environment & Sustainability
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Compressed Hours
Salary Minimum: £52,929
Closing Date: 07/09/2025, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
Job Profile – 31669.docx – 59KB
Converted File Job Profile – 31669.docx.pdf – 90KB
Job description attachment 2
E&B Additional Information Pack.pdf – 1898KB
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 31669.docx – 2041KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 31669.docx.pdf – 718KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
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.
We’re looking for an experienced water resources specialist with knowledge of how groundwater modelling is used across the organisation to lead and grow a national team. As a strategic leader, you will work with the national groundwater team on a programme of regulatory groundwater model development to support business decisions in local operations.
You will develop the operational element of the groundwater modelling strategy, deliver an efficient process for commissioning groundwater modelling work, and ensure our groundwater models support regulation of groundwater to protect the environment and deliver for the businesses we regulate.
In this role you will drive forward changes in the way the Environment Agency uses regulatory groundwater models, working in an integrated way internally and externally towards sustainable abstraction.
A proven team player with excellent communication skills, you will be capable of influencing and advising across the organisation. Working with key stakeholders, you’ll build relationships and communicate clearly to guide and influence what people do. You will provide technical leadership with a vision for growing and developing the wider groundwater community and skills.
Primary duties include:
- Team Leader of a small team supporting groundwater model development and programme management in Lincs & Northants and East Anglia Areas.
- Leading on development of our national operational groundwater modelling strategy, including a long-term investment plan.
- Support the development of a national framework contract to ensure timely delivery of our modelling programme.
- Influencing senior leaders and working with our Senior Advisors (Groundwater Skills and Resilience) to develop technical career pathways and resilience in groundwater modelling.
The team
You’ll join our National OCS Water Resources Team. We are a national operations team providing a range of water resources support and guidance. We work closely with technical and project teams across the organisation, as well as external stakeholders.
In E&B we promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We use evidence, expertise, engagement, and innovation to enhance and support delivery, influence policy, legislation, and secure resources.
Experience/skills required
You’ll bring a range of skills and experience:
- Proven leadership and team management skills to inspire and motivate a team of groundwater modellers
- Strong communication and people skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels
- Ability to manage complex technical work and deliver results
- A good problem-solver to drive forward change
- Skilled at building trust and influencing others to gain support and take action
- Experienced groundwater or water resources specialist who has worked with or developed groundwater models
- Educated to a degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
- Chartered membership of a professional body would be desirable.
Please demonstrate your:
- ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
Contact and additional information
You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given. #LI-DNI
You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid.
We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact kirsten.johnstone@environment-agency.gov.uk
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams during the week commencing 22nd September.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Competence 1: Leads People
Description
Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency.
Question:
Please describe a time that you have inspired or motivated a team to achieve something meaningful at work?
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.
Competence 2: Influences and Persuades Others
Description
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:
Please use a real life example to evidence how you’ve met this competency, showing how you used different strategies to successfully influence an outcome or decision.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Competence 3: Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
Question:
Can you describe a time when you led a team to deliver a complex project or operational outcome?
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
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.
