Environment Agency
Advisor (Chemicals Surveillance and Emerging Risks) - 35849
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Job Description
We are looking for a dynamic thinker who feels passionately about reducing the impacts of chemicals in the environment. You will work with technical specialists to deliver complex and challenging work with a range of duties. You will be expected to lead your own work and work with others. You do not need to be a chemist, but an awareness of the environmental risks posed by chemicals is essential.
You will play a key role in delivering environmental monitoring projects that provide the evidence needed to support regulatory decisions, policy development, and environmental protection. Working alongside senior specialists and technical leads, you will help plan, coordinate, and deliver monitoring activities, ensuring monitoring data is robust, accessible, and fit for purpose
Duties may include:
- Technical support to the Chemicals Investigation Programme, a long-running collaboration of research investigations with the water industry to understand and control chemicals in sewage effluents and the environment.
- Technical support to the River Basin Planning lead and PEWS lead.
- Producing technical responses for formal government questions, public enquiries, and information requests.
- Assisting with permitting work across sectors to address complex chemical issues and develop a strategy for the effective regulation of chemicals.
- Oversight of some of our work with the Chief Scientists Group.
- Working with Defra, other UK Regulators, external parties and other parts of the EA such as the National Laboratory Service.
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.
The Team
This role sits in the Chemicals Surveillance and Emerging Risks Team within the Chemicals Programme, a national team in the Environment and Business Directorate. The team identifies emerging chemical risks and builds evidence to influence policy and regulatory actions. As a dispersed team, you’ll work virtually via MS Teams with travel for face-to-face meetings. E&B fosters a positive, inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and supported.
Experience/Skills Required
You’ll have an awareness of ongoing concerns about chemicals in the environment and be comfortable working with technical reports. Government, regulatory or industrial experience of one or more environmental regimes (e.g. air quality, contaminated land, water quality, waste classification, periodic review etc.) is essential.
You will be:
- A motivated self-starter, with a can-do approach
- Well organised with good attention to detail
- Used to working under your own initiative and a good team player
- Comfortable working in a virtual team
- Able to balance multiple pieces of work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
- Flexible and able to positively respond to changing priorities
- Adapt communication styles to suit your audience and have strong written communication skills
- Proficient in Word, PowerPoint and Excel and familiar with MS Teams and SharePoint
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Desirable – Power BI, Python and/or R experience
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate 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.
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; some travel and overnights may be required.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact caroline.hook@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two 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 26 March 2027
Competence 1
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.
This role is for EA ONLY staff.
Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.
Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision to solve a complex problem when you did not have all of the relevant facts. How did you make your decision?
Competence 2
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.
Using a specific example please explain your involvement in the delivery of a high-quality project or other significant piece of work in an environmental field. What did you do to ensure the work was delivered on time and to a high standard?
Competence 3
Data and Information Management
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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
In this role you will use water quality data to monitor for chemical pollutants in the environment. Tell me about a time when you have used environmental data. How did you use the data and what considerations did you have?
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.
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