Water Resources Specialist - 34253

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.

Desirable:

A good working knowledge and experience with at least one, or preferably both, of the following:

Water Company WRMPs WINEP delivery.

Understanding of Drought Planning and ability to change priorities in the event of drought.

Experience Of Abstraction Licencing Is Desirable But Not Essential.

Hydrogeology or hydro-ecology experience is desirable but not essential.

Job Description

We have two exciting opportunities for experienced Water Resources professionals in our Integrated Environmental Planning [IEP] Team, based within the Solent and South Downs Area [SSD]. You will be required to work with internal and external parties aiming to secure long-term water resources security, whilst delivering positive environmental outcomes.

Our Water Resources Specialists will be required to:

Co-ordinate and consult on Area Reviews of Water Company Water Resource Management Plans [WRMPs] to ensure long-term planning objectives to secure water resources are in place and sustainable. Co-ordinate and consult Area reviews on Water Company Drought Plans, ensuring drought processes are appropriately planned. Be an integral part of project steering groups for Water Industry National Environment Programme [WINEP], ensuring medium and long-term projects deliver their planned environmental objectives. Be ready to contribute to the Areas response to prolonged dry weather and drought incidents. Ensuring appropriate responses to drought are taken both internally and from water companies.

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

You will join our IEP who lead on Water Resources planning within SSD. IEP Teams sit within the larger Environmental Planning Department within the Environment and Business [E&B] Directorate.

We are a dispersed team within SSD and work alongside a wide range of technical teams within Area seeking their input and advice on WRMPs, Drought Plans, WINEP projects and responses to Drought. We also work alongside National colleagues seeking strategic solutions to long-term planning challenges.

Experience/skills Required

Essential:

Strong project management experience to ensure delivery of multiple projects. You will be required to co-ordinate Area wide responses seeking specific details for review by our technical teams. Excellent communication skills and being able to engage partners by reviewing and cascading complex technical and regulatory documentation in a manner that is efficient and streamlined. Able to think strategically and consider wider impacts of the projects they are involved in.

Desirable:

A good working knowledge and experience with at least one, or preferably both, of the following:

Water Company WRMPs WINEP delivery.

Understanding of Drought Planning and ability to change priorities in the event of drought.

Hydrogeology Or Hydro-ecology Experience Is Desirable But Not Essential.

Contact and additional information

You will have an incident management objective in your development plan. Being an Area Drought Co-ordinator during incidents is desirable. The expectations for this don’t go beyond normal office hours/locations and appropriate training is provided.

Your EA Office base location will be within SSD [we would consider strong candidates from outside SSD]. Hybrid/flexible working patterns will be considered. Some travel, office attendance and occasional overnights stays may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack. Any queries, contact richard.may@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.

Competence 1

Develops, delivers and implements strategic plans for the sustainable use, protection and improvement of our environment.

Description

Ensures delivery:

Takes responsibility for delivery of the plan by engaging with delivery teams and the business planning process to secure resources Tracks delivery of actions and reports progress on delivery Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan and shares lessons learnt.

QUESTION HERE:

Describe a time when you have actively sought an opportunity to make an improvement to an area of your work.

How did you identify this improvement? Why did you feel it necessary to make the changes? What approach did you take in getting it approved and implemented? What feedback did you receive from those involved, for example team or customers? How successful was this change? What did you learn from it?

Competence 2

Achieves Results

Description

Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Maximises work output by setting goals and priorities tracking and measuring outcomes and taking swift remedial action when necessary. Is tenacious and perseveres when others might give up and by doing so achieves the desired results Anticipates forth-coming issues and adjusts actions as necessary.

QUESTION HERE:

Give an example of when your team had to deliver a major project or piece of work:

How did you organise the team’s activities for the project? What methods did you use to ensure that activities were completed on time and to the required standard? What was the outcome? What did you learn from this experience?

Competence 3

Manages Self

Description

Has full awareness of own strengths, weaknesses, impact and approach. Effectively organises self and takes personal responsibility for own role.

Recognises strengths, weaknesses and limits of own expertise. Seeks and acts on feedback from others, recognising when to seek support. Takes responsibility for addressing own performance and developmental needs to enhance skills, personal contribution and career prospects. Maintains and encourages a positive and enthusiastic outlook for what the Environment Agency is aiming to achieve, especially in times of difficulty. Prioritises and schedules activities to make effective use of time

QUESTION HERE:

Tell me about a time when you have had to pick a preferred approach to a problem from a range of options.

How did you assess all the different options? What made you choose your preferred option? Who did you consult with to help with your decision-making? What was the result?

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.