Number of jobs available: 3
Region: East of England, London
City/Town: Welwyn Garden City
Building/Site: DEFRA GRP EA ALCHEMY, AL7 1HE
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Operational Delivery
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time
Salary Minimum: £34,320
Closing Date: 23/02/2026, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
TSS04 Technical & Scientific Services, Grade 4
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 32736.docx – 2043KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 32736.docx.pdf – 720KB
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.
You will join the team responsible for the management of field telemetry equipment and hydrometric data collection, ensuring accurate and timely data and information is provided to customers of the Hydrometry & Telemetry Team (H&T).
This role is a combination of field and office work and therefore you must have a willingness to work outside often in demanding weather conditions, all year round. You will also be required to travel to both rural and urban sites. Working across Hertfordshire and North London on rainfall, river flow/level and groundwater monitoring sites, you will gather, quality assure and provide scientific data to internal and external customers.
You will work both in a team of officers and alone, so must be self-motivated and a team player.
You will be responsible for delivering the programme for your own section of the network, including acting as a technical lead on a specified element such as gauging, telemetry, raingauges, HSW or site installation. The role also includes elements of asset management, public safety and delivery of national project upgrades.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan, we’ll help you find an incident role to suit your needs and circumstances. This may attract an additional payment, and full training will be available.
Please note that this is a full time position but consideration will be given to part-time requests which will be reviewed in line with business need.
The team
The Hydrometry & Telemetry Team is responsible for the operation of the hydrometric network of assets for Hertfordshire/North London delivered as one team from the Alchemy office in Welwyn Garden City.
Our key customers are Flood Coastal Risk Management and Water Resources. External customers include the Met Office and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH).
The service delivered underpins the Environment Agency’s statutory responsibilities relating to Flood Forecasting and Water Resources
Experience/skills required
Ideally you will have experience in Hydrometry and Telemetry activities and work methods OR a scientific OR engineering background and be experienced in installing and maintaining monitoring equipment.
Essential skills
Experience in managing large quantities of data
Good knowledge of telemetry systems and confidence using environmental monitoring equipment is essential
Confidence in managing self and delivering a varied workload to agreed timelines
Well-developed influencing and practical problem-solving skills
Willingness to work outside often in demanding weather conditions, all year round
Confidence working in and near water
Confidence driving in all weather conditions and to remote locations
Full UK driving licence
Desirable skills
Some understanding of incident management
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
Contact and additional information
Your base location will be at the Alchemy office, Welwyn Garden City. You will be required to attend sites across the Hertfordshire and North London area frequently. There is the ability to work hybrid for some tasks but overall, the role is site/office based.
A Fleet/Lease vehicle is provided for the role.
We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.
Any queries please contact Nikita Gretsi, nikita.gretsi@environment-agency.gov.uk or 07824889480
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held in person week commencing 16th March 2026.
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: Scientific Knowledge
Description
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
Capability description:
Applies scientific knowledge (various disciplines, depending on team role) to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.
Question:
Please tell us about your knowledge of; or experience of hydrometry and telemetry and hydrometric equipment? If you do not have any prior H&T experience, please tell us about your experience of using some other scientific/field-based equipment?
Competence 2: Data and Information Management
Description
Capability Description:
Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION:
Please give an example of when you have had to analyse and interpret data and present it in a useable format: (Detail the situation, your role, data type and any challenges you identified/overcome)
Competence 3: Achieves Results
Description
Capability 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:
Describe a time you set a challenging goal for yourself and the steps that you took to achieve it.
(Detail your approach, how you monitored progress, and any lessons learnt)
Competence 4: Health Safety & Wellbeing
Description
Capability Description:
Making sure your own behaviour reduces risks to the health and safety of yourself and others.
QUESTION:
Using an example from a current or previous role, or hobby/pastime, tell us about your approach to managing your own health, safety and wellbeing (detail the situation, how you identified the risk, what actions you took and any changes you would make)
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.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
