Carbon Specialist - NEAS - 29554

Job Description

We value a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community wishing to join a workforce which embraces difference and welcomes everyone.

Do you want to help the Environment Agency reach Net Zero Carbon? Are you good at influencing and have experience supporting projects deliver sustainability?

This advert is for national recruitment of carbon specialists. We currently have vacancies for carbon specialists to support NE, NW, East and Midlands hubs. However, applicants successful at interview from any geographical location will be held on our reserve list for the next 6 months and may be offered roles supporting other hubs if vacancies arise

Carbon Specialists support delivery of the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCRM) capital programme ensuring that carbon is managed in the most effective way. They deliver the Carbon Assessment and Verification processes ensuring the capital programme meets the Environment Agency's corporate targets and strategic objectives relating to carbon.

You will support the carbon management of projects through whole-life carbon assessments, decarbonisation intelligence, and optioneering, maximising reduction of carbon emissions.

You will promote the use of the carbon reduction hierarchy fostering low carbon thinking, providing insight into low-carbon innovations and decarbonisation technologies relevant to the Environment Agency’s assets.

You will be responsible for verifying that projects have adequately considered carbon reduction opportunities and assessing performance against carbon budgets.

Experience in carbon assessment is not essential - full training and support will be provided.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training, and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

The team

NEAS manage the environmental assessment of the Environment Agency’s capital projects, strategies and plans, to ensure compliance with environmental legislation and policy. We ensure opportunities to improve the environment for people and wildlife are identified and taken forward.

You will join a dispersed team supporting delivery of the FCRM programme across 6 geographic hubs. You will be supported by 2 Principal Carbon Specialists who will provide technical leadership and direction.

Essential

Experience/skills required

• Experience of influencing behaviours, overcoming resistance and managing change.
• You will need to demonstrate experience working within multi-disciplinary project teams and effecting sustainable change.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with both internal and external stakeholders as relationship management is a key element of the role.
• Experience of working with projects, time management and prioritising various tasks
  
  
  

Desirable

• Educated to Degree standard in an environmental science, sustainability, engineering or related subject,
• Experience of undertaking carbon assessment and delivering carbon reductions
• Experience of significant infrastructure projects
• Membership of a professional environmental or engineering institute is requested but not essential.
• Knowledge of flood and coastal risk management project appraisal process, however in house training will be provided.
  
  
  

Contact and additional information

Please see the candidate pack for more information on the benefits offered, including generous pension provision and leave entitlement, flexible working practices, and excellent training and learning opportunities.

The role can largely be completed remotely, however occasional travel to delivery partners or site offices may be required. Occasional overnight stays may be necessary.

For further information please contact [email protected] or [email protected] in the first instance

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Interviews are anticipated to take place virtually via MS Teams in the week commencing: Monday 4th November 2024

Length of contract

Up to 2 years

Competence 1

Environmental Awareness

Description

Appreciates the impact that activities have on the environment and identifies ways to protect and preserve the environment for the future [and limit negative environmental impact].

Question: Provide an example where you have completed a sustainability assessment, or other sustainability issue and have used this to influence a team to adopt a more sustainable option.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

Competence 2

Influences and Persuades Others

Description

Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Question: Describe a time when you have influenced a Project Team to incorporate more sustainable measures on a project?

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

Competence 3

Achieves Results

Description

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Question: Provide an example where you had to prioritise tasks, meet targets and a deadline whilst also delivering an effective sustainable outcome(s).

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

Competence 4

Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality

Description

Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new, or improved methods and processes without compromising quality or accuracy.

Question: Provide an example where you have identified and implemented an innovative approach to better deliver a sustainable outcome, without compromising on quality or accuracy.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

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.