Environment Agency
Catchment Engineer - Yorkshire - 36187
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Desirable but not essential:
- Flood Risk Management knowledge
- Reservoir construction/management experience
- Practical experience in managing assets
- Contract Management experience within construction sector
You’ll be an intelligent problem solver, with a methodical work approach. Leading evidence based decisions and supporting others will come naturally to you.
You will be confident to build relationships, with a can-do attitude and be dedicated to driving your own professional development as well as encouraging others.
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.
In Yorkshire we look after over 3800 assets on the river network covering 2157Km, which better protects 320,000 properties.
We have an exciting opportunity and are looking for a Chartered Engineer to provide specialist advice and guidance in the Yorkshire Area. This role provides a great opportunity to work on a range of projects, as you help us to continue protecting people and property in flood risk areas. You will contribute to the asset management of Statutory Reservoirs, flood embankments, defence walls and other large civils structures. As an experienced engineer you will provide independent supervision for our critical assets and reservoirs, lead our teams on engineering issues and help to develop our Deputy Catchment Engineers.
You will work with the teams to technically assure our asset investment programme and advise on technical decisions for asset refurbishment. You will encourage, coach and mentor less experienced members of the department to help develop the next generation of engineers in Yorkshire.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment, and full training will be provided.
The team
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Yorkshire Operations Leadership Team. Operations Teams are responsible for the management of a diverse range of FCRM assets. We do this in a safe, efficient and effective manner to reduce flood risk for people and enhance our environment. As asset owners, maintainers and operators, we work to optimise our investment decisions and deliver our ambition to be an exemplar asset management organisation.
Experience/skills Required
We are seeking someone with a passion and commitment to engineering within Flood Risk Management. You will be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, as well as with a national network of other Catchment Engineers.
You must have:
- Engineering qualification and practical experience, hold Chartered Civil/Structural Engineer status
- Good communications skills and great customer focus
- Health, Safety & Environmental knowledge/experience
- Technical leadership experience
Desirable but not essential:
- Flood Risk Management knowledge
- Reservoir construction/management experience
- Practical experience in managing assets
- Contract Management experience within construction sector
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You’ll be an intelligent problem solver, with a methodical work approach. Leading evidence based decisions and supporting others will come naturally to you.
You will be confident to build relationships, with a can-do attitude and be dedicated to driving your own professional development as well as encouraging others.
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.
We operate a hybrid working approach with some days required in our offices at York or Leeds. You'll be visiting sites across Yorkshire so a full driving licence is essential.
Note that salary is £54,940 plus a Market Forces Factor (MFF) allowance, currently £6000 for CEng status.
Please confirm your qualification status.
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be in-person and anticipated w/c 5th and 12th October 2026.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Pack for information.
If you require further information about this role, please forward your enquiries to oluwakemi.akingbade@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Competence 1
Leads People
Description
Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency.
QUESTION
The Catchment Engineer role will require you to harness skills across asset management teams. You will need to be able to provide technical leadership, giving clear direction and guidance, understand everyone's strengths to get the best from everyone, ensuring everyone performs at their best and where everyone can be themselves.
Please give an example of when you have previously led teams in this way and explain what the outcome was. Please also explain how you were able to develop the teams and / or colleagues.
Competence 2
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
QUESTION
As Catchment Engineer you will be expected to work under your own initiative. You will be expected to use your engineering judgement to make many critical decisions on your own.
Please tell us about a situation where you had to make a difficult or complex engineering decision in a limited amount of time with a minimal number of facts to hand. What did you do, how did you do it, and what was the result?
Competence 3
Asset Systems Management
Description
Identifies standards of performance for asset systems and solutions to required improvements in levels of performance.
QUESTION
The Catchment Engineer will take a lead role in embedding a sustainable whole life asset management approach in Operations, Yorkshire, thereby contributing to the Environment Agency’s aim of becoming a world leading asset management organisation.
Please can you describe a time when you had to prioritise a particular technical solution or approach to an engineering or technical problem or project? Please explain how whole life cost, sustainability, and / or long term investment considerations influenced your decision?
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Competence 4
Health Safety & Wellbeing
Description
Making sure that risks to your team are controlled safely and effectively.
QUESTION
Please give an example of a time where you have recognised the need to change working practices in order to reduce health and safety risks.
Your answer should describe:
- The situation and working practices which required change.
- How you identified the issue.
- The actions if any you took.
- The outcome
Role specific license requirements
- Full UK Driving License
Role specific professional membership requirements
- Institution of Civil Engineers
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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