Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National
City/Town: Various
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Programme and Project Management
Working Pattern: Full Time
Salary Minimum: £34,320
Closing Date: 22/03/2026, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
BS04 Job Family Role Profile Business Support Services, Grade 4
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 33719.docx – 2043KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 33719.docx.pdf – 720KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value diversity in all its forms and actively seek, embrace, and celebrate it. Our aim is to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.
We are looking for a skilled and motivated Project Support Officer (PSO) to join the Environment & Business – Water Quality Permitting Strategy Team.
You will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Water Quality Permitting Strategy Program, working closely with the Programme Manager and colleagues across the organisation.
As a PSO, you will be a central point of coordination for the program. You will help Senior Advisors and Advisors deliver high‑profile work that improves water quality across England. You will also work with senior stakeholders and manage new commissions into the team.
You will use project management tools and approaches such as risk management, milestone tracking, and dependency mapping, to support effective delivery.
In this role you will:
Support Portfolio Leads, from scoping through to final delivery of commissioned projects.
Produce, maintain, and share internal project reporting.
Lead on administrative and coordination duties to keep the program running smoothly.
Develop and manage communications products for the program.
Manage and improve the teams SharePoint site.
Provide secretariate support, including organising meeting and preparing documentation.
The team
You will join the Water Quality Permitting Strategy team within the E&B Water Regulation department. We are nationally dispersed team, and occasional national travel may be required.
Our team uses evidence, engagement and innovation to support delivery, influence policy and secure resources for regulation of the water industry and wider water sector. We collaborate with National and Area teams, to deliver impactful regulatory permitting strategies.
Experience/skills required
We welcome applicants with previous PSO experience or those who can demonstrate strong coordination, administrative, or data-handling skills. Ideally you should have:
Experience supporting project delivery, including planning, reporting, communications, and data management.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
Clear and confident communication skills, both written and verbal.
The ability to work effectively as part of a dispersed team, using digital tools to collaborate.
Contact and additional information
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, occasional travel and overnights maybe required.
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market. We are committed to being an inclusive employer, ensuring equal opportunities.
Everyone is required to hold an Incident Management role, and an appropriate role and appropriate training will be given.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative role in the future.
Interviews will be via MS Teams approximately four weeks after the closing date.
Please contact Joel Lawson (joel.lawson@environment-agency.gov.uk)
Competence 1: Programme and Project Management
Description
Description: Selects, plans and manages contractors, programs or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively.
When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.
CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.
Question: Tell us about a project that you have been involved in. What was your role and how did you contribute to or influence successful delivery?
Competence 2: Communicates Effectively
Description
Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.
CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.
Question: Tell us about a time you had to communicate something complex to a range of stakeholders. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
Competence 3: Data and Information Management
Description
Description: Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.
CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.
Question: Describe a situation where you improved or streamlined the way information was captured, organised or shared. Why did you make the change and what was the impact.
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.
