Groundwater Protection Officer - 31408

Groundwater Protection Officer - 31408
1
South East
Chichester , Pevensey, Southampton , Worthing
DEFRA GRP EA CHICHESTER OFFICE, PO20 2AG, DEFRA GRP EA PEVENSEY OFFICE, BN24 6ND, DEFRA GRP EA ROMSEY OFFICE, SO51 8DU, DEFRA GRP WORTHING TEVILLE GATE HOUSE, BN11 1UR
Staff Grade 4
Permanent
Science
Full Time
£33,000

10/08/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
If you're interested in protecting our water environment, and keen to develop your technical knowledge, analytical skills and project management capabilities, then we want to hear from you. We're heavily dependent on our groundwater resource for drinking water and other uses. You'll play a critical role in safeguarding the quality and quantity of our groundwater and ensuring that improvements are achieved.

This is a busy and varied role in which you'll provide technical advice, coordinate others, and manage data. You'll support regulation and the delivery of our statutory responsibilities, including the Water Framework Directive.

In this role you'll:
• Contribute to the management of the Area Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network or Groundwater Level Network.
• Provide technical support to protect groundwater through mechanisms such as environmental permitting and the planning regime
• Interpret technical information and have experience of handling multiple data sets
• Deliver decisions to protect groundwater, based on sound evidence and good practice, to identify trends and highlight emerging risks
• Use data to respond to enquiries, inform team work priorities and provide technical advice on incidents involving groundwater
• Build relationships and engage positively with internal and external customers

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You'll be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents, 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 with your incident role.

Please note:
The roles are based in either Worthing/Romsey/Chichester/Pevensey.
We have one vacancy in the Solent and South Downs Area Groundwater, Hydrology and Contaminated Land teams covering E&W Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

We focus on protecting and improving groundwater. Our work includes providing expert advice to internal and external customers to support environmental permitting across a range of activities. We also provide technical advice on a range of water resource management activities including Water Framework Directive , abstraction management, and permitting.
"You will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Either a degree in a relevant scientific/environmental discipline or equivalent work-based experience
• An effective communicator, both verbally and written. You can present clear, well-reasoned arguments that can be understood by a wide range of audiences
• Proficiency in producing, analysing and presenting a range of environmental data to develop evidence and solve technical issues
• Good IT skills, including the use of spreadsheets, databases and mapping systems
• Ability to manage your own workload and work well in a team
• A practical approach to problem-solving, articulating solutions in a simple and persuasive way
• A good knowledge of groundwater quality issues and relevant environmental legislation

Experience in undertaking hydrogeological risk assessments is valuable
Experience in project management is desirable."
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. As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve and continue to develop diversity throughout our workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation or religion. Contact Paul Batty, paul.batty@environment-agency.gov.uk, for more information.

We support flexible working hours and practices. We offer an extensive range of employee benefits and encourage you to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge throughout your career.

If you'd like more information, please refer to the 'Additional Information' document linked below for location-specific contact information.

Interviews will be held remotely by video conference; date to be confirmed.
Achieves Results
"You can use our capability dictionary to understand the indicators for the competences you are being asked to demonstrate in this question, this can be found on page 10 of the Candidate Pack that is attached to the job advert.

Please note we do not assess CVs. Your answer to this question will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action and Result) can help when formulating your answers.

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: Explain with examples the practical steps and routines you follow to manage your workload and maximise your effectiveness. Give an example of when these strategies have been particularly effective and when you have had to adapt to meet a particular challenge."
Data and Information Management
"You can use our capability dictionary to understand the indicators for the competences you are being asked to demonstrate in this question, this can be found on page 10 of the Candidate Pack that is attached to the job advert.

Please note we do not assess CVs. Your answer to this question will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action and Result) can help when formulating your answers.


Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.

Question: Please provide an example of when you have collected, managed and interpreted data. Describe your aims and objectives and how you presented your findings."
Scientific Knowledge
"You can use our capability dictionary to understand the indicators for the competences you are being asked to demonstrate in this question, this can be found on page 10 of the Candidate Pack that is attached to the job advert.

Please note we do not assess CVs. Your answer to this question will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. Using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action and Result) can help when formulating your answers.


Applies scientific knowledge (various disciplines, depending on team role) to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.

Question: Why do you think you are suitable for this role? What skills and experience can you bring to the team?"
Driving licence (uk)
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.