Technical Support Officer - 32061

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic geoscientist to develop their technical expertise in groundwater resources, groundwater quality and contaminated land. In this role you will use an evidence led, risk based approach to protect and enhance the groundwater environment, deliver on our WFD obligations and support incident response.

We are looking for individuals who enjoy problem solving as part of a team. As a technical officer your duties will require you to contribute across a variety of work streams. You will:

- provide advice to local planning authorities on development proposals that may pose a risk to groundwater resources or quality and the risks posed to controlled waters from contaminated land.
- review risk assessments.
- provide technical advice and guidance to our customers on pollution incidents impacting on groundwater.
- Working in a team to help deliver the Environment Agency's EA2030 strategy change for a better environment.

The successful candidate will be expected to apply their existing knowledge and experience to the role but will have the opportunity to develop technical skills and knowledge in other areas. As a technical leader, you will be responsible for the promotion, coordination and delivery of the teams work with respect to development planning, with a particular emphasis on contaminated land and brownfield regeneration across the area.


This role offers an excellent opportunity for anyone wanting to grow a career in hydrogeology. You will be expected to support the area in incident management, whether this is providing technical support to the incident directly or supporting colleagues to ensure that any risks posed to the wider business are managed effectively. 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.

Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire is one of the largest populated areas, with one of the busiest groundwater and contaminated land portfolios.

We help ensure development is carried out sustainably that prevents groundwater and surface water contamination and promotes enhancement of the environment.

We advise partners ensuring regulation protects the environment, existing abstractors and, supports sustainable/efficient use of groundwater.

We provide technical support to other departments, including the National Permitting Service and Regulated Industry.

We are looking for a competent and experienced geoscientist who is versatile, self-motivated and can quickly fit in and contribute to the work of our busy team.
You will:
Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant geoscience discipline.
Prioritise work undertaken by others based on environmental and business risk.
Be an effective communicator with strong influencing skills, capable of building relationships across the organisation .
Deliver results through others, with a focus on efficiency, innovation and quality.
Have an understanding of the Water Framework Directive, Environmental Permitting Regulations, Water Resources Management, Contaminated Land Regulations and Town and Country Planning.
Have proven ability/knowledge of hydrogeology, water resources, contaminated land and waste management.
Be proficient in GIS, data handling and records management.
Be well organised, able to work to tight deadlines and be able to manage your own work.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential to the role.

For further information about the role please contact Katie McAlinden Groundwater, Hydrology & Contaminated Land Team Leader on 07787891123 or by email at katie.mcalinden@environment-agency.gov.uk

Our hybrid working model combines home and office working, however you will be expected to attend the office for certain meetings.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 3 November 2026. The interviews will preferably be in person but Teams can be used where in person is not do-able.

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. Give an example of a time when you had to influence a team member to gain their support/buy-in

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets.
Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Tell me about a time when you had to take responsibility for delivery of a critical piece of work or project.

Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Tell me about a time when you have made an important work decision in a short time.

Applies scientific knowledge (various disciplines, depending on team role) to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers. Describe what current challenges you could encounter with land contamination through the planning and development process?

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