Number of jobs available: 1
Region: London, South East
City/Town: Farnham , Reading , Wallingford
Building/Site: DEFRA GRP EA GOLDCREST HOUSE, GU10 4LH, DEFRA GRP EA KINGS MEADOW HOUSE, RG1 8DQ, DEFRA GRP EA RED KITE HOUSE, OX10 8BD
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Operational Delivery
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time
Salary Minimum: £34,320
Closing Date: 15/04/2026, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
TSS04 Technical & Scientific Services, Grade 4
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 33262.docx – 2043KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 33262.docx.pdf – 720KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
We are the Environment Agency. We work with government, local councils, water companies, businesses, and communities to make our environment cleaner, safer, and healthier for people and wildlife. We deal with the effects and causes of climate change, perhaps the most serious long-term threat to the environment that we face.
Groundwater supplies most of the drinking water in the Southeast and is vital for springs, rivers and wetlands across the area and essential for industry and agriculture.
You will be part of a busy and friendly team supporting and protecting our vulnerable groundwater resource. Delivering technical advice, regulation, and guidance on hydrogeological matters.
In this role you will provide technical advice on hydrogeological and water resource activities. This will include:
Determining water resource permits
Working with licence holders to ensure licences are sustainable
Advising on the impacts of groundwater abstraction including groundwater resource and pump test assessments
Advising on the groundwater extremes of drought and groundwater flooding
Advising on the impacts of major infrastructure projects
Supporting the management of our groundwater level network
Providing technical information to our customers
Helping to deliver our Water Framework Directive measures and investigations
The team
We are seeking a motivated team member to join the Groundwater Resources and Hydrology team in Thames Area. The team’s hydrogeologists and hydrologists provide technical expertise and advice on a range of water resource management projects including Water Framework Directive, Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies, Restoring Sustainable Abstraction programme and determining water resources permits.
There is an expectation to travel to Reading and Wallingford when there is a business need and monthly meetings.
Experience/skills required
We are looking for someone who is versatile, self motivated and can quickly fit in and contribute to the work of our busy team. You will be able to demonstrate the skills and experience below:
A geoscience related degree or equivalent experience; a relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable
Good computer skills are essential, including the use of spreadsheets; the use of mapping systems is desirable but training will be provided
Conceptualisation of hydrogeological processes
Produce/interpret data to develop evidence and solve technical issues
Good communication skills and the ability to present convincing verbal and written arguments to a wide range of audiences, with the ability to simplify technical detail
Experience of working as part of a team as well as being able to use your initiative to work independently
A practical common-sense approach to problem solving, able to articulate solutions
Contact and additional information
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided. For further details then please contact Antonia Shakerley by email at Antonia.shakerley@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Interviews will take place in May
The Environment Agency at this time, do not prohibit the use of AI when completing applications when used as a form of technological assistance. This is deemed to be equivalent to pre-existing spelling and grammar checkers. Uses of AI must however be applied by candidates without providing false information or misrepresenting work history, experiences, skills or competency answers.
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
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: Communicates Effectively
Description
Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
Question: Please provide an example of when you have used a range of communication styles to successfully convey complex information to an audience.
Competence 2: Data and Information Management
Description
Description: Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
Question: Describe a time when you collected, analysed and interpreted complex data to support an investigation or decision making process.
Competence 3: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Question: Tell us about how you have taken information from a variety of sources in order to solve a difficult technical problem successfully?
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.
