Fisheries Technical Officer - SG4 - 11575

1
West Midlands
Fradley
Sentinel House
Staff Grade 4
Fixed Term
Full Time
Environment & Sustainability
£27,572 (pro-rata)
We are seeking an experienced ecologist, specialising in British freshwater fish and river ecology. In the role you will use an evidence-lead, risk-based approach to deliver statutory regulatory duties, major incident response, sustainable water body restoration and support our customers.

The role combines;
• major incident response (particularly where fish are at risk) and investigation to support remediation and potential enforcement
• evaluation of water bodies and implementing priority actions to restore fish migration, habitat and good ecological status through partnerships, fishery management and our own projects
• regulating development, water resources and infrastructure projects through our statutory duties and by influencing stakeholders, to reduce risk and gain opportunities to enhance water bodies
• engaging with customers and fishery businesses to provide high quality, best practice fisheries technical advice
• promoting the environmental and socio-economic benefits of sustainable fisheries and angling

In this post you will work with colleagues in multiple teams to influence customers to undertake their activities sustainably, address on-going and historic impacts on river habitat through land-use, dredging, culverts, weirs and impoundments, hydropower, flood-plain quarries, discharges and abstractions and restore a more natural, sustainable river environment for fish, wildlife and people.
We’re a friendly, experienced and passionate team based across the West Midlands who integrate fisheries, biodiversity and geomorphology expertise, support access to sustainable angling opportunities and influence colleagues, partners and customers to protect and restore natural river catchments for wildlife and people. We work closely with colleagues across our business including Flood and Coastal Risk Management and Environment and Business in order to protect and restore the environment and manage the impact of major incidents.
In addition to a freshwater fish and river ecology first degree or relevant equivalent, you will need fish ecology technical expertise and understanding of relevant fisheries and environmental legislation. A good knowledge of dynamic river processes, in channel and riparian habitat and UK fish biology is essential.
You will also have strong communication, collaboration and influencing skills, be an effective and adaptable team worker, showing initiative and time management. Membership of a relevant professional body, project management and engineering experience for weir removal or fish passage would be an advantage.
Field skills to monitor water quality and fish stocks including electric fishing, netting, boat handling and off-road driving are also vital to the role. The health, safety and well-being of our team is a priority. Continued professional development is provided to maintain and develop your capability and our team’s resilience.
The right to work in the UK and ability to drive, cross uneven terrain and swim are essential. The work involves travel to remote sites in or near water, to other offices to collaborate via meetings and teleconference.
You will be expected to support the EA’s response to environmental and flood incidents.
We support continuing professional development and are diverse, inclusive, with equal opportunities and proud to be a Stonewall top 100 employer.
This post can be based in any of our West Midlands offices however frequent travel to colleagues in other offices will be necessary. This is a full time post, however other flexible working patterns will be considered. Interviews likely to commence 7 August 2019.
For further information, please email philip.wormald@environment-agency.gov.uk or kirsty.gilmour@environment-agency.gov.uk

28/08/2019, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
31/03/2020
Scientific Knowledge
Applies scientific knowledge to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.
Incident Response
Responds quickly and effectively to emergencies and manages the contribution of others required to do so.
Providing technical advice on Planning Liaison consultations
Provides timely and effective specialist technical advice on land use planning consultations to protect & enhance the environment
Programme and Project Management
Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively.
Influences and Persuades Others
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.
Legislative Knowledge
Applies a knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.
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.