Region
South East
City/Town
Reading
Building/Site
DEFRA GRP EA CAVERSHAM LAKES DEPOT, RG4 9RA
Grade
Staff Grade 5
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Engineering, Operational Delivery
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
£41,617
Closing Date
11/02/2025, 23:55 hours
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job Description
“Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? Then the Environment Agency is the organisation for you!
At the Environment Agency we work to create better places for people and wildlife. We are an evidence-based organisation and we monitor the environment to enable us to make informed decisions.
We are looking for an instrumentation specialist to join our National Water Quality Instrumentation Service (NWQIS) that collects and analyses continuous (24 hours) water quality data for the Environment Agency.
There is significant political and media interest in the water quality of our rivers and the monitoring work that this team does. This is leading to an increased customer ask of NWQIS. There is also a shift from more traditional sampling techniques to the techniques used by this team. The shift in monitoring is happening externally too with Water Companies required to put in place continuous monitoring downstream of their discharges. This is leading to an increased focus on the work of this team internally and externally.
You will:
* Provide realistic and practical technical solutions to operational challenges
* Investigate new instrumentation and methods, assess their potential and embed within the EA.
* Deliver technical evaluation of supplier tenders and detailed reviews of vendor deliverables
* Liaise with clients, suppliers, contractors, and relevant authorities
* Provide installation, commissioning and troubleshooting support to internal and external clients
* Liaise with other disciplines and operations team in execution of their work
* Management of client expectations
* Be responsible for developing and coordinating operational training and guidance for NWQIS instrumentation
* Support change and continuous improvement in NWQIS by identifying optimum ways of working that deliver agreed standards of data quality and improve health, safety, and wellbeing.
The Team
The Environment Agency is fully committed to inclusivity and equal opportunities, offering flexible work arrangements for all our vacancies. Join us in a diverse environment where every voice is heard and valued.
NWQIS is responsible for:
* Maintaining and calibrating around 1,500 Water Quality monitoring instruments
* Building and deploying continuous monitoring solutions for water quality investigations
* Providing data analysis, advice, and guidance on continuous monitoring data.
There are 21 team members including 3 Specialists.
Experience/Skills Required
We are looking for an instrumentation specialist that is passionate about developing the best solutions for water quality monitoring.
Essential experience/skills:
* Instrumentation
* Relevant field experience
* Previous experience in testing new technology.
* Knowledgeable of electrical systems for instrumentation, including cabling, wiring methods, control circuits
* Actively forming and maintaining close links with internal and external customers
* Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills
* Excellent attention to detail essential
* Successful delivery of training to others
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team, and forge strong relationships
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a must for this role as you’ll be liaising with local, National, and external customers.
* Be self-driven and determined to succeed.
* Knowledge of water quality instrumentation and data
Desirable experience/skills:
* Understanding of the Environment Agency’s Water Quality systems, community, and customers.
* Managing contracts/projects
* Managing people
Contact and Additional Information
We offer a benefits package including annual leave starting at 30 days, and an award-winning Pension Fund.
The role is based at Caversham Lakes, Reading. Travel planned and unplanned around the country will be required. Costs will be reimbursed.
You will be required to have an incident role 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 in your incident role.
Face-to-face interviews week commencing 17/02/25.
To discuss this role, please contact:
* Frances Houston Team Leader – frances.houston@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competences
Competence 1
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Please describe an example where you have had to manage multiple items of work, with conflicting priorities and deadlines. How did you successfully manage this situation.
Competence 2
Communicates Effectively
Describe how you have communicated a complex technical challenge or initiative to a non-technical audience to secure support and funding.
Competence 3
Changing and Improving
Please provide an example when you have identified and implemented the introduction of new innovative technology. Explain how the technology helped deliver an improvement in quality and efficiency.
Competence 4
Manages Self
Please demonstrate where you have managed a large project/programme of works to deliver a positive outcome to a tight timescale.
Role Specific License Requirements
Full clean UK 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 this link for more information.
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