Severn Regulation - Fluvial Modelling and Forecasting Advisor - 20643

Our fluvial modelling and forecasting advisors provide expert advice to help build a country more resilient to climate change. As a modelling and forecasting advisor your expertise will inform our partners in how to appropriately manage river flows at community or national scale, working closely across the border with NRW. Your role will focus on river regulation of the Severn during low flow periods to ensure we meet our legal duties. You will also support the development of new flood modelling approaches, shape, steer and engage how we provide fluvial modelling evidence. You will have the opportunity to develop and specialise your skills and complete your professional accreditation.

In this role, you will:

• Engage with our customers from project inception through to completion in the technical lead role, advising on the appropriate tools and techniques for hydrological and hydraulic modelling approaches;
• Act as the E&R ‘point of contact’ for Severn regulation to the Environment Agency and partner organisations to balance the regulation of flows throughout the year;
• Have an interest in diversity and nurturing others viewpoints and a passion for developing people;
• Provide technical leadership;
• Coach, mentor and inspire others to build our technical expertise.

The team is part of the national Evidence and Risk (E&R) team, that provides expert analysis and advice to manage risk and improve resilience.

Our Inland teams work closely with a range of partners, providing leadership, technical expertise and specialist advice in river flooding and hydrology. The outputs of our modelling work is used in decision making for flood and coastal risk management including new and improved flood defences, land use planning and incident management.

You will be able to demonstrate technical and behavioural skills as defined below:

• Understand the importance of evidence in informing flood risk decisions;
• Technical leadership in modelling, data and hydrology;
• Knowledge and awareness of hydraulic modelling;
• Knowledge of river regulation and the Water Industry;
• Working knowledge of GIS software packages, and highly computer literate;
• Awareness of health, safety and wellbeing;
• Excellent communication, ability to build relationships, collaborating and agreeing expectations to deliver outcomes;
• A flexible approach to contribute effectively when working with different groups, to adapt and undertake different roles in different situations;
• Successful influencing and persuading skills;
• Ability to achieve results, directly and through others;
• Experience prioritising high-profile programmes/projects and the ability to manage your workload;
• Good judgement, problem solving and decision making skills;
• Ability to mentor/coach others and drive an environment for continuous improvement;

Remote working/meetings is the norm at present, but in due course you would be expected to work out of one of the hub offices. Some of these positions are geographically specific, so please choose the locations you are most interested in. Other locations may be considered on individual merit.

The Environment Agency has an important incident management role and you will be encouraged to play your part in a way that fits around your work/life balance.

Applications from those wanting full, shared or part-time working arrangements or working flexibly from home are welcome.

The interviews will be undertaken virtually in February, comprising of competency based questions and a technical exercise.

For more information, please contact: james.regan@environment-agency.gov.uk (07901 338759)

Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.

Describe a scenario where you have delivered results for a particular outcome through others:

• How did you ensure engagement and commitment
• What measures did you use to monitor progress
• How did you share the success

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

Describe a scenario where you have chosen the optimal approach to a problem from a range of options. Please explain:

• How were the options identified?
• How did you assess all the different options?
• What made you choose the preferred option?
• How did you get others to support your decision?
• What was the result?

Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Describe a scenario where you have had to persuade and influence others in order to win them over:

- How did you present your case / argument in an attractive way
- How did you ensure you understood all views?
- What strategies did you use?

Interprets data and information to forecast the state of the environment, including large-scale trends such as climate change, and more localised forecasting such as pollution, flooding and water availability.

Provide an example of how you have applied your technical knowledge to a water resources or flood risk analysis problem:

• What knowledge or analysis did you use to understand the issue?
• How did you ensure the accuracy of your results?
• What advice did you provide?