UK Ministry of Defence
Station Environmental Protection Advisor (SEPA)

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
RAF Boulmer
Alnwick
Job Summary
Do you want to play a part in supporting a vital part of the defence of the UK? Do you have a keen eye for detail, can adapt to constantly changing priorities and have a passion for safety and the environment? If this sounds like you, we have a vacancy for a Station Environmental Protection Advisor (SEPA) who will be responsible for providing assurance to the Station Commander that RAF Boulmer is environmentally compliant, providing Health and Safety advice to personnel. This is a varied and interesting role which covers sites at RAF Boulmer and the Northern Remote Radar Heads (RRHs).
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
The successful candidate will be responsible to the Station Health and Safety Officer (SHSO) for:
- Advising and assisting Station Executives in fulfilling their obligations and duties under environmental protection legislation, MOD, Command and Station Policies.
- Investigate specific environmental protection problems as required and report the results with proposed remedial action through the SHSO and HoE.
- Maintain and implement the Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with JSPs 418 and 816.
- Manage a program of systematic and planned audits, inspections and surveys to monitor the implementation of H&S and environmental policies, legislation and regulations.
The SEPA is also appointed as the Deputy SHSO and is responsible for assisting the SHSO and deputizing for them in their absence. This may involve, but may not be restricted to the following:
- General management of SHEP office and documentation, to include but not limited to audit reports, policy updates, maintenance of the SHEP manual, SHEP SharePoint sites and Teams channels and Incident/Accident/Near-Miss reporting.
- Liaison with Local SHEP advisors, Building Custodians, Contractors, External Agencies on SHEP matters.
- Act as the stations environmental focal point. Maintaining a close liaison and establishing a positive working relationship with regulatory bodies including; Chief Environment and Safety Officer (CESO) RAF, The Local Authority, Natural England, DIO technical specialists, SEPAs on other MOD units, Contractors and the Project Aquatrine Provider.
- To act as environmental subject matter specialist on the Health & Safety Working Group.
- Escorting visiting HSE inspectors and attending Station Commanders inspections.
- Conduct any other associated duty as directed by the SHSO.
Person specification
Essential
- An interest in the environment actively promotes a safety culture which contributes to the Business total safety ethos.
- Strong organisational and IT skills. Competent user of Microsoft Office 365.
- Strong verbal communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Promotes a positive working environment.
- Customer focused and have strong customer service skills.
Desirable Criteria
- NEBOSH General Certificate
- IOSH Managing Safely Certification
If a Candidate Does Not Hold The IOSH Managing Safely Certification they Must Be Prepared To Obtain The Qualifications Within 6 Months Of Starting The Role:
- Introduction to Environmental Protection
- Environmental Protection Law and Policy
- Environmental Protection waste management
- Environmental Protection Introduction to Utilities Management
- Practical Pollution Training
- Foundation in Environmental Auditing
- Environmental Management System (EMS) implementation
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Artificial intelligence
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. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement. (250 words)
At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Personal Statement and the following:
- Behaviours:
- Managing A Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering At Pace
- Working Together
In the event of a high volume of applications, an initial sift will be based on the lead behaviour which is Managing a Quality Service. Where the required standard for this behaviour is met, you will continue to be sifted on the remaining Behaviours, CV and Personal Statement, otherwise your application will be rejected.
At Interview, you will be assessed against the following:
- Managing A Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering At Pace
- Working Together
Further Information:
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location