Environment Officer - 20281

3
South West
Exeter , Launceston
Pennygillam Depot, Manley House
Environment Officer A
Permanent
Full Time
Operational Delivery
£23,446
Do you have what it takes to protect and improve the unique environment of Devon and Cornwall? Do you have good organisational and decision making skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively?
As an Environment Officer, you will be at the front line in delivering Defra’s 25 Year Strategy for the Environment. You will deal with everything from delivering desk-based regulatory work to making routine site inspections and leading major pollution investigations. You will be working directly to help create a cleaner, safer, healthier environment for wildlife and people.
You’ll work in an operational team focusing on such as water quality and regulation and management, agriculture and water resources. The work includes:

• enforcing environmental regulations
• visiting sites to conduct inspections and taking action if environmental regulations have been breached
• dealing with and investigating environmental offences and incidents
• preparing statements and giving evidence in court
• managing out of hours incidents as part of a standby rota
• advising how people and businesses can improve the environment

We are looking to recruit 3 x permanent Environment Officers to our Central Land & Water team, ideally based in one of offices in Exeter or Launceston.
The team manage and regulate bathing water and shellfishery protection, the impact of present-day and historic mine workings, industrial and private water discharges and abstractions.
We regulate permitted sites, review environmental data and investigate reports of pollution and illegal water abstraction.
We work with customers across a range of sectors including the water industry, local authorities, agriculture and private businesses to influence behaviour and encourage good practice. This often requires the use of enforcement.
You will have great communication and influencing skills and be comfortable taking decisions and driving environmental improvements and permit compliance.
You will have a science or technical background and have experience in data management, interpretation and assessment and of working with customers.
You may have inspected or audited sites, handled or investigated complaints and worked in a role in which you’ve had to lead difficult conversations with people.
In addition, experience of regulatory or enforcement work, and of managing environmental incidents in the field and remotely would be advantageous.

You must be able to drive and hold a full driving licence. We will provide a vehicle for your use at work.
Familiarity with the unique geography, industry and environmental and economic priorities across Devon and Cornwall would be an advantage.
Interviews will be undertaken by video conference using MS Teams in early January 2022.
If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to know more about the work of the Land and Water teams across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, please contact Paul Mitchell on 02084 746300 for an informal chat.

12/12/2021, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Communicates Effectively
Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Give an example of a time when you have had to tailor your communication style to a specific audience in order to achieve an outcome. Explain what you took into consideration and how you approached the task.
Influences and Persuades Others
Description: 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 time when you have successfully persuaded a key stakeholder round to your point of view in order to achieve a desired outcome. Explain how you did this and why you approached the task the way you did.
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

Provide an example of when you have had to deal with a complex matter that required you to consider a number of options and make key decisions in order to achieve the best environmental outcome. What issues did you consider and why did you approach the situation the way you did?
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.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.