Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National
City/Town: Various
Building/Site: Various
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Fixed Term
Role Type: Science
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Compressed Hours
Salary Minimum: £34,320 Pro-rata
Closing Date: 22/03/2026, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
AS04 Job Family Role Profile Advise & Shape, Grade 4
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 33823.docx – 2043KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 33823.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.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a positive outlook and an enquiring mind to help us shape how we work with natural processes within the Environment Agency.
This is a temporary position within our national geomorphology team in the Environment and Business Directorate. You will provide invaluable technical as well as administrative support on a broad range of our national projects and initiatives.
Our work is diverse and you will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with your team on projects linked to our key work strands, such as climate resilience, nature friendly farming, natural flood management and better regulation. You could support with developing strategies and national position statements, providing advice to government and stakeholders, producing training materials, and providing guidance and support for our colleagues on the ground.
Some of your work will be pre-planned, complex and long-term, some will be reactive and delivered to tight deadlines; all will provide challenge and opportunities for professional growth. You will be well organised, tenacious and flexible in order to meet the changing needs of our business, adapting as our priorities shift to deal with emerging issues.
The team
You will join nine friendly colleagues in our dispersed, yet tight-knit national geomorphology team. We champion geomorphology and provide strategic steer for our discipline within the Environment Agency. We also support our area-based geomorphology colleagues to protect, enhance and restore the natural environment and work with a wide range of teams across the country. We’re part of the Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate and promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued.
Experience/skills required
In your capability-based answers please demonstrate:
· Technical understanding of the climate and biodiversity crises context, and the potential role of geomorphology and working with natural processes for nature recovery. This awareness can come from academic learning, experience of policy, or practical experience and could be related to catchments, rivers, or coasts. An undergraduate degree is preferred but not essential.
· Ability to process and communicate complex concepts and technical language in a range of formats to a range of audiences.
· Motivation and enthusiasm to develop a career in nature recovery.
· Ability to manage a varied workload, including dealing with competing priorities and changing demands.
· 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 support and 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 be based in an EA office, and the working location is flexible. We use smart tools to stay connected for hybrid working and reduce travel. Some travel and overnights may be required.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. For any queries, please contact jo.shanahan@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams within three weeks of the closing date.
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.
Length of contract: Up to 12 months
Competence 1: Scientific Knowledge
Description
Applies scientific knowledge (various disciplines, depending on team role) to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION: Tell us about your technical awareness of and interest in nature recovery and restoration, using either your academic training, practical experience or other equivalent experience, using examples.
Competence 2: Communicates Effectively
Description
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION: Tell us about your ability, experience, and preferred ways of working when communicating with others, using examples.
Competence 3: 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.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION: The role is varied and busy, often with competing demands. Using examples, tell us how you manage your time so that you get the important things done well at work, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
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.
