WQ Innovative Permitting Planning Specialist - 29721

Job Description

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. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive introduction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.

We’re looking for a water quality planner to work in the Innovative Permitting team in Operations Catchment Services (OCS).

The OCS Water Quality Innovative Permitting Team are a team of technical experts. We work closely with area colleagues in relation to the development of innovative catchment and nature-based solutions (NbS).

The knowledge and advice the team provide will shape stakeholder agendas to ensure that plans are in place for a high-quality water environment now and into the future. You will be working alongside the senior water quality planner and closely with colleagues across the business and within the water industry.

You must have sound knowledge of water quality planning, including modelling and regulation, and knowledge of the water industry and the price review process. You will help colleagues across the Environment Agency, to find solutions that protect and enhance water quality.

Responding to incidents is an important part of what we do in the Environment Agency. 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 workplace adjustments will be available to help you with your incident role.

The team

You will be working closely with the senior planning specialist, business partners and the guidance specialists within a dispersed national team. Innovative Permitting is part of the OCS water quality team. As a relatively new team you will help shape its work and embed it in the wider team culture. We take a one business approach, working with colleagues across the whole organisation both in national and area teams.

Experience/skills Required

You will assess and model new approaches to regulation in response to emerging environmental, water quality and legislative challenges. You will be flexible and ready to contribute to solving these. This requires you to be comfortable working in unfamiliar territory collaborating with policy and guidance colleagues on new approaches.

You will be mathematically competent. You need experience in general water quality modelling using models like SAGIS, Farmscoper and RQP. You will have a particular focus on wastewater discharge permitting. You will seek opportunities to promote nature-based solutions that improve water quality and obtain other wider benefits. You also bring knowledge of the price review and regulation processes to the role. We welcome applicants with experience of SIMCAT and SAGIS modelling.

You have experience in working in a dispersed team. You will be expected to travel for national meetings with occasional overnight stays.

Contact and additional information

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working patterns, including part-time and job share.

For more information on the work of the Environment Agency and what to expect working for us, please explore our Environment Agency Careers site.

For more information please contact Nick Diggle, email: [email protected] or call 07770792809 or Nadine Siebdrat, email: [email protected] or call 07795237599.

Interviews will be held week commencing 16 November 2024 via MS Teams

If we receive a significant number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using lead capability Data and Information Management. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift. We generally don’t provide feedback at sift stage.

Competence 1

Communicates Effectively

Description

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

The communication of technical data to both technical and non-technical audience is vital.

Please describe your communication style when dealing with an audience of varying technical backgrounds

You may find it helpful to use the STAR approach when formulating your response and how it would relate to this role.

Competence 2

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Description

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

Innovative Permitting is, by its very nature, an emerging discipline and the successful candidate will need to be flexible in their approach to finding solutions.

Tell us about a time when you have had to extract and assess information from a variety of sources in order to solve a difficult technical problem.

• What was your approach to collating this information?
• How did you analyse/sort it?
• How did it assist you in solving the problem?
• How did you deliver your response?
  
  
  

You may find it helpful to use the STAR approach when formulating your response and how it would relate to this role.

Competence 3

Data and Information Management

Description

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Description: Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.

Assessing the effectiveness of proposals and understanding the data required to allow compliance decisions to be made is required in this role.

Please explain how you approach analysing large data sources and what experience you have of water quality modelling.

You may find it helpful to use the STAR approach when formulating your response and how it would relate to this role

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.