Job Description In Wessex we want to create a diverse workplace where people are respected, valued and listened to. We’re all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where jointly we all grow and learn together. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the effective delivery of integrated environment planning to improve climate resilience and nature. We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with experience of water quality issues to help review, challenge and advise on stakeholder plans and permissions, to ensure they protect and improve our marine and freshwater environment. You will work with national policy, area delivery and key customers on aspects of strategic water planning to help plan our response to current pressures and future demands. Working with colleagues and partners, you will seek optimal solutions to environmental problems and advise on the regulatory requirements that will help us improve the quality of our surface waters to create a better place for people, wildlife and the environment. If you’re passionate about our water environment and want to make a difference to the quality of our surface waters, then this might be the perfect role for you. You will work closely with water companies to reduce the impacts from sewage discharges. Therefore, knowledge or experience of this sector would be advantageous. The role will include: Leading on technical water quality tasks including planning, tracking and coordinating delivery of water quality improvements, including the Water Industry’s National Environment Programme; Supporting other teams on complex water quality technical issues; Building and maintaining relationships with others, including internal and external partners; Using data, modelling and technical knowledge to identify actions that bring environmental improvements; Leading and providing specialist advice to working groups and projects; facilitating the resolution of complex or contentious issues. The team You'll be part of a fantastic team of environment planners focusing on water quality and river basin planning, working alongside the IEP Water Resources Team. Working with colleagues, partners and stakeholders -the team produces environmental evidence that informs and drives area priorities and investment. Our friendly team of advisors are at the heart of environmental decision making, facilitating integrated actions to solve complex problems. Experience/skills Required Essential: A degree in a relevant environmental discipline. You will have; Good knowledge and experience of water quality planning, ideally gained through working with water companies. Ability and experience to lead technical conversations with internal and external partners. Ability to demonstrate leadership in a specialist technical area. Have proven communication, influencing and networking skills; Good analysis skills, supporting an ability to make proportionate, evidence-based inferences from information. Experience of gathering, maintaining data/information and experience of using GIS, data visualisation tools. Good organisational skills/discipline and personal effectiveness. Ability to work under own initiative, be pro-active as-well-as part of a larger multidisciplinary team Sensitive to the needs of the internal and external customers and able to deliver necessary outcomes. Ability to prioritise and deliver work to relevant standards and tight deadlines. Experience of translating internal guidance into local delivery. Ability to coach and mentor others within the environment planning community. Contact and additional information Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Please see the candidate pack for how you will support with this. You will be part of a diverse, inclusive organisation embracing differences. We will invest in you and allow you to grow and shape your career. You will be welcomed into the team and given the training and support needed, as part of your induction, you will be provided with all the equipment and protective clothing required. This post is based in Bridgwater/Blandford but other South west office locations maybe considered. We operate hybrid office/home working. Occasional travel will be necessary. For more information contact Rosanne Broome, rosanne.broomeenvironment-agency.gov.uk Interviews will be in person, week commencing 25/11/2024. Competence 1 Influences and Persuades Others Description PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV's and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers. This competency is about presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over and encourage them to follow plans willingly. Please describe a time when you have successfully persuaded a key stakeholder round to your point of view. Competence 2 Takes Decisions and Solves Problems Description PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV's and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers. This competency is about Finding and delivering optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions. Please tell us about a time when you have had to co-ordinate information from a variety of sources in order to solve a difficult technical problem. Competence 3 Focuses on Customers and Partners Description PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV's and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers. This competency is about addressing the needs of internal and external customers and providing timely and effective responses. Please describe an occasion when you have used your knowledge and understanding of a particular customer to improve the service you provided for them. Competence 4 Achieves Results Description PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept CV's and your answer to the following question will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action Result) can help when formulating your answers. Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results. Giving a specific example, describe how you have delivered a successful piece of work (ideally Water Quality) in the face of considerable challenges or obstacles. Role specific license requirements Full UK Driving Licence. 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.