Communications and Engagement Officer - 31828

Communications and Engagement Officer - 31828
1
South East
Reading , Wallingford
DEFRA GRP EA KINGS MEADOW HOUSE, RG1 8DQ, DEFRA GRP EA RED KITE HOUSE, OX10 8BD
Staff Grade 4
Fixed Term
Environment & Sustainability
Full Time
£33,000 Pro-rata

23/09/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
We are looking for a capable and enthusiastic person to fill the role of Communications and Engagement Officer in the Thames Major Projects Hub.
- You will be an important member of the team at an exciting time for our various high-profile flood risk management schemes.
- This position will support the different project teams with a wide range of communications, engagement and project tasks. You will build good working relationships with our internal and external partners and customers to help manage our reputation.
- You will support the team to deliver high-quality communications materials and turn our engagement vision into a reality by ensuring our work on the projects is communicated and supported by a wide range of stakeholders in a timely and professional way.
- You will be a self-starter with a flexible attitude, who uses your initiative to proactively look for better ways of doing things, ensure tasks are performed efficiently and effectively.
- You will have strong organisational skills and be able to manage your time and prioritise tasks to ensure deadlines are met.

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.

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment. Further information on incident response can be found within your candidate pack.
The Thames Area Major Projects Hub is a centre of excellence supporting large flood risk management projects in the Thames area. Currently, we are working on the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, River Thames Scheme and Guildford Flood Alleviation Scheme with other potential schemes in future. We are a team of specialists in communications, engagement, funding, benefits, planning and assurance.
The ideal candidate will:
• Have a positive, proactive and hard-working attitude.
• Be a highly organised, flexible person who can deliver quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Have strong customer service skills and work well in a diverse, dispersed team.
• Have experience of engaging and communicating with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Have good writing skills and experience producing internal and external materials, such as minutes for meetings, responses to enquiries, briefings, newsletters, presentations and factsheets.
• Have strong IT skills, especially Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Be experienced and enjoy using digital media, including social media.
We will consider job shares, on condition the scheme mailboxes can be covered. The interviews for this role are expected to begin from the 29th of September. Please contact Zoe Houlihan (Zoe.Houlihan@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Helen Cukier (helen.cukier@environment-agency.gov.uk) if you would like to hear more about our team and the role.
Up to 12 months
Communicates Effectively
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Please provide an example in your work or personal life that demonstrates this competency.
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.

Please provide an example in your work or personal life that demonstrates this competency.
Works in Teams
Works co-operatively as part of a team to achieve common goals.

Please provide an example in your work or personal life that demonstrates this competency.
Data and Information Management
Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.

Please provide an example in your work or personal life that demonstrates this competency.
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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.