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/support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role. Acting as the initial point of contact and executive support to the Yorkshire Area Director’s office, you are required to be fully flexible providing comprehensive administrative support and effective communication to the Area Director and the Area's Senior Leadership Team (ALT). You will be responsible for managing sensitive information from external sources, national teams, directors and internal human resource cases/issues. A high level of initiative is required to prioritise tasks and information to keep the Area Director fully informed on key messages and to manage the effectiveness of their time. Extensive mailbox, diary and travel management will be required, the ability to forward look and prioritise effectively is a must. You will need to be capable of managing and keeping ahead of a dynamic Director’s schedule and prioritising and tracking actions and commitments. The Area liaises regularly with local Members of Parliament, Councils and our Chief Executive’s office. You will be responsible for facilitating responses to correspondence received from these sources whilst maintaining the professional face of the Area Director’s office and the Area. Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. This may attract an additional payment and full training will be available. Please see the candidate pack for information on how you will support with this. The team Working directly for the Area Director in a high-profile area you will work closely with the Senior Area Leadership Team (ALT), their pool of Support Team Members and Team Leaders. You will also build strong networks with other areas, national teams, organisations and have regular contact and communication with Senior Directors and Members of Parliament. Experience/skills Required You will have experience working as a P.A or in a similar role. You will be able to work efficiently and effectively at a fast pace to constantly shifting deadlines and parameters without compromising on quality. You will possess effective communication skills and have experience in taking action points / minutes at management meetings. You will be able to pick up new IT systems quickly and be competent in using IT services such as Microsoft office programmes (for example Office 365, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint etc.) You will have the ability to work proactively whilst being primarily unsupervised. Contact and additional information We're fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns and offer a full range of reasonable workplace adjustments. This role will be based in our Leeds, York or Beverley office but currently also allows for flexibility to include homeworking. All required equipment will be provided. Please be aware travel to meetings and other offices will sometimes be required. In addition to the basic salary of £27,245 this role also attracts various benefits: For a full list of benefits we offer, please visit out recruitment portal. Interviews will be held W/C 2nd September 2024. For further information contact Hayley George: Hayley.Georgeenvironment-agency.gov.uk. Please note, your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection. Competence 1 Achieves Results Description (Please note that your answers to the capability questions will be used for shortlisting purposes. Your examples do not necessarily have to be work related, please use the best example from any area of your life. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering the questions. Try to utilise the full word count where possible. A link to the capability dictionary, which outlines some of the key things we're looking for in your answers, can be found in the Candidate Pack attached to the advert.) Definition of Achieves Results: 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: Please provide an example of a time you have had conflicting priorities and how you managed these? Competence 2 Communicates Effectively Description Definition of Communicates Effectively: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing. Question: Please provide an example of a time you have chosen the most appropriate method/s of communication for the audience you are addressing? Competence 3 Data and Information Management Description Definition of Data and Information Management: Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes. Question: Please provide an example of a time when you have effectively managed data? 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.