Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National
City/Town: Various
Grade: Staff Grade 5
Post Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Role Type: Other
Salary Minimum: £37,462
Job description
This is a great opportunity to support the design, development and implementation of three new groundwater projects as part of the Chemicals Investigation Programme 4 (CIP4). The Chemicals Investigation Programme (CIP) is a large water industry funded initiative to investigate trace substances and plastic particles in the water environment.
The post will support and coordinate Environment Agency input into the following three groundwater projects within CIP4:
• Groundwater chemicals monitoring of treated sewage effluent discharges;
• £2m field and laboratory investigation into the impacts of sewage sludge spreading on groundwater; and
• An investigation into the fate and behaviour of plastic particles in a treated sewage effluent discharged to ground.
As part of this role the post holder will:
• Write technical specifications and contribute to the management of all three projects;
• Contribute to finding field study sites;
• Undertake further analysis of the groundwater datasets, which will include letting research contracts;
• Track project progress and flag risks as necessary;
• Ensure that project outputs and datasets are freely available to the public; and
• Contribute to developing a long-term vision and regulatory solutions for managing chemical inputs to groundwater.
The team
The post is in the Head Office Environment and Business (Water and Land Quality) Groundwater team. We are a dispersed team who will provide a welcoming and supportive environment for this role. We lead on permitting and compliance issues in relation to groundwater quality. We also advise Government to ensure that the regulation of groundwater resources and groundwater quality sustainably balances the needs of the environment with those of businesses and society.
Experience/skills required
The post holder will be an experienced groundwater specialist, with a good understanding of groundwater chemistry. You will have excellent analytical, influencing and communication skills. Experience in groundwater research, groundwater fieldwork and the water company price review process are also desirable.
You will be able to demonstrate:
• Excellent interpersonal and team-working skills;
• Ability to conceptualise groundwater environments in three-dimensions;
• A proactive, self-motivated attitude that delivers quality outcomes;
• An ability to effectively engage people – to motivate them to act and to resolve conflicts and challenges; and
• Excellent data analysis skills.
Ideally the successful candidate will be Chartered with an appropriate professional body, though this is not essential.
Contact and additional information
The candidates will be required to give a 10-minute presentation as part of the interview.
As a national role the location is flexible. Periodic travel to various Environment Agency offices or external venues will be required as part of the role. Such travel may require overnight hotel stays.
Our team promotes an inclusive culture and we welcome all applicants, especially colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+ or Black Asian and Minority Ethnic. Part time and job share applications are also encouraged.
A reserve list will be held for this role for up to 6 months.
For an informal discussion about the role contact Tim Besien, Senior Advisor – Groundwater Quality on +447768 006203 or Kelly Short, Chemicals Manager on +447979778081.
Job description attachment 1
Candidate Pack – 25050.docx – 1057KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 25050.docx.pdf – 611KB
Job description attachment 2
Job Profile – 25050.docx – 57KB
Converted File Job Profile – 25050.docx.pdf – 63KB
Closing Date: 02/01/2023, 23:55 hours
Level of security checks required: Basic Check
Competence 1: Data and Information Management
Description
Question: Describe how you have analysed an environmental dataset. What tools did you use? What were the difficulties you had to overcome? What did you do to ensure the information was accurate and to the required standards?
Competence 2: Scientific Knowledge
Description
Question: Describe the key technical steps you would go through to design a field and laboratory research investigation to assess the impact of sewage sludge spreading on groundwater. What are the biggest technical challenges that you would have to overcome?
Competence 3: Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Question: Describe a time when you have presented a case in a convincing and attractive way to win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly.
Competence 4: Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Question: Describe a time when you have worked collaboratively with other people/teams to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
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.
