Number of jobs available: 2
Region: South East
City/Town: Oxford , Reading , Shepperton , Wallingford
Building/Site: DEFRA GRP EA KINGS MEADOW HOUSE, RG1 8DQ, DEFRA GRP EA OSNEY YARD OFFICE, OX2 0AX, DEFRA GRP EA RED KITE HOUSE STORE, OX10 8BD, DEFRA GRP EA SHEPPERTON WATERWAYS OFFICE, TW19 9LW
Grade: Staff Grade 4
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Operational Delivery
Working Pattern: Full Time
Salary Minimum: £34,320
Closing Date: 12/05/2026, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
ER04 Job Family Role Profile Environment & Regulation, Grade 4
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 34571.docx – 6580KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 34571.docx.pdf – 2181KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to improve our regulation of recreational activities on the River Thames. The team provides a front facing service to customers, regulates river levels through weir operation and carries out enforcement of boat registration. We are in a period of change to make our operations financially sustainable through regulation, efficiency, opportunity, and better ways of delivering work. This role plays a key part in that, ensuring we are an effective regulator and maximising our income so we can re-invest back into our waterways. The ideal person will be a strong communicator and understand of how to approach regulation within a diverse community to ensure effective results.
Key responsibilities:
- Management of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for you and your team
- Targeted and routine boat patrolling
- Managing enforcement casework with associated targets and deadlines
- Providing well researched correspondence based on sound technical knowledge, experience and legal advice.
- Advising on regulatory issues and consultations
- Working with customer representatives and professional partners
- Managing change and imbedding effective ways of working
- Participating in an incident role
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. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.
The team
The Environment Agency has a responsibility to manage some of the busiest recreational waterways in the country. Our River Thames operations include 45 lock and weir complexes. Your team will consist of a total of 12 staff – Team Leader, Lock and Weir Keepers and Technical staff.
Experience/skills required
This is a front-line operational role. You will be working on boats and around water which will require mandatory water safety training. To achieve this, you will need to be able to swim.
To achieve your objectives, you will need to demonstrate:
- An effective approach to regulation
- Good time management – working to delivery timelines and reporting on results
- Good written report skills
- Following legal process
- High levels of communication skills (face to face and written correspondence)
- Working with Policy and legislation
Contact and additional information
You will be required to participate in an incident role and be regularly travelling to remote sites along the River Thames in all weather. This may require responding to an incident in person. As a guide, we would recommend residing within an estimated 1-hour travel time to any point along the River Thames. Please consider this before applying.
Full training will be given for the role alongside ongoing development.
Allowances include:
Incident payments (when on standby)
Outer London weighting (location dependant)
For further details, please contact: andrew.croxford@environment-agency.gov.uk
Interviews are likely to take place Early June
Competence 1: Achieves Results
Description
Please give us an example of your approach to maximising work output. How did you set goals, ensure quality and measure outcomes?
Competence 2: Deals with Hostile Situations
Description
Please give us an example of how you have planned to mitigate the risk of hostile situations or a time where you have diffused tensions as a hostile situation was developing.
Competence 3: Communicates Effectively
Description
Please give us an example of communicating with someone over a sensitive subject. How did you protect sensitive information while getting key points / requirements across?
Competence 4: Manage your health and safety
Description
Please confirm that you meet all of the following requirements with a Yes / No answer:
- You can swim
- You hold a full UK drivers’ licence
- You live within reasonable travel distance (approx. 1hour) to any point on the River Thames
Role specific license requirements: Full UK Manual 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.
