Desirable

• Understanding of service management principles and frameworks such as ITIL / ITIL Foundation qualification.
• Understand capabilities of Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power BI) or experience developing with these.
• Understanding of portfolio management and / or Management of Portfolio Foundation or equivalent.
• Experience working in agile or iterative delivery environments.

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 eatalent@environment-agency.gov.uk.
• Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
• Interviews will be held via MS Teams during the week commencing 2nd November.
• 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 12 months

Competence 1

Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation, and Quality

• Takes responsibility for the quality and timeliness of own work, admits errors when necessary, and quickly takes action to rectify.
• Demonstrates an ongoing concern to improve performance and increase efficiency.
• Checks and ensures the accuracy of information received and produces work that is right first time.
• Puts in place checks to ensure that plans and processes are being carried out to the required degree of accuracy.
• Actively seeks and implements opportunities to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of self and the team.
• Ensures that data and information are always delivered in an accurate, timely, and legal manner.
• Proactively looks for better ways of doing things; learns from events and seeks to improve future performance.

Question: SEA Change is a live digital service used across the Environment Agency to support project, programme, and portfolio management. Describe a time when you were responsible for ensuring a service or operational process was delivered accurately and effectively.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.

Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.

Competence 2

Communicates Effectively

• Listens and questions to understand and engage.
• Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately, and persuasively through speech and writing.
• Is an active listener, has time for people; seeks their contribution.
• Uses the full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding.
• Considers the needs of and impact on the audience, anticipates reactions, and uses appropriate communication method and style.
• Prepares written reports and data in a clear, readable, and accurate manner, using appropriate grammar, syntax, and style.
• Ensures communication is two-way; responds and acts on feedback.
• When presenting is easily understood and inspires attention from an audience.
• Is clear and to the point when speaking.
• Anticipates the main issues and prepares responses.

Question: Describe a communication challenge you have faced when introducing or supporting a new system, service, or process. What concerns did stakeholders raise, and how did you adapt your approach for different audiences?

Competence 3

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

• Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives, and taking sound and timely decisions.
• Uses previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions, and arrive at sound decisions.
• Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
• Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options, and select the best course of action.
• Seeks out and considers the best available information before making decisions. Probes, checks, and confirms veracity of data as appropriate.
• Confronts head-on difficult situations where major decisions have to be made quickly.
• Makes sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales.
• Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.

Question: On occasion where you identified the root cause of a recurring problem that others had been unable to resolve, how did you solve it?

Additional Information

• 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