Principal Water Company Liaison Officer - 28778

This is your chance to join us to help influence and improve the environmental performance of water companies. We're looking for individuals with a good understanding of the industry and how it impacts the environment to join our Operations Catchment Services department and be at the heart of our liaison with water companies.

Our teams are responsible for driving national operational work with water companies, keeping a comprehensive overview of their environmental performance across all activities and strategic plans to influence improvements and future investment at a senior level. The role is in our South East team, facing Thames Water, Southern Water and four water only companies in the south east.

We work closely with water companies, local EA operational and national policy teams, to regulate and report water company performance. We influence water company future business plans through the Ofwat price review process and specific plans e.g. water resources management plans, drainage and wastewater management plans and pollution incident reduction plans.

You'll be responsible for:
• Working with and bringing together operational colleagues as part of a larger virtual team to influence and improve water company performance and investment
• Development of water company specific action plans
• Tracking water company delivery, including the Water Industry National Environment Programme
• Reporting water company performance and supporting senior engagement with water companies through timely and informative briefings
• Working closely with colleagues in head office to support development of policy and environmental objectives

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 incident roles.

Alongside the South East team, we have four other water company facing teams across the country (Midlands, North West, North East and the South West) who work with key customers and stakeholders involved in water planning and performance. These teams are part of the Operations Catchment Services, a national-once department which uses evidence, expertise, and innovation to drive performance and influence future investment.

We’re a friendly, dispersed team that use smart tools to stay connected.

We are looking for candidates with either a degree in an environmental discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

You will need to be highly organised with skills in environmental planning and regulation.

You must build strong working relationships with colleagues, customers and stakeholders.

Through experience to date you should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge and practical experience of water company regulation and/or planning
• Strong written and spoken communication skills
• Influencing skills to help persuade internal and external partners
• Highly organised and able to manage complex activities
• Ability to influence across a range of senior managers
• Ability to manage and present data and information effectively
• Knowledge of the environmental pressures impacting on the water environment

You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.

It is your answers to the competencies that will be used for interview selection.

We are committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

We offer an extensive range of employee benefits and the opportunity to progress your career with us via professional training routes such as apprenticeships and degree programmes.

Working in a national dispersed service your base location is flexible and you will need to be comfortable working virtually via MS teams with a mix of home and office working. Some travel and overnight stays may be required.

For questions relating to this role, please email OCSAdmin@environment-agency.gov.uk quoting the vacancy reference number.

Virtual interviews will be held w/c 29thApril.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.
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.

Please provide your proudest professional achievement to date as a result of influencing and persuading someone.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Whilst working with an external partner or customer, please describe how you have tailored your communication style to meet the requirements of a specific individual or situation.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.
Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Describe how you prioritise and manage your workload to ensure delivery when you have multiple competing demands.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.
Working with water companies and driving improvements in performance

Describe your experience and skills of the regulatory and planning framework for the water industry. Explain what you see as your key skill for this role