Senior Environmental Monitoring Officer - 32467

Senior Environmental Monitoring Officer - 32467
1
South West
Blandford Forum , Bridgwater
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Analytical, Environment & Sustainability, Knowledge & Information Management
Full Time, Part Time
£43,198

04/01/2026, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. 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.

We are looking to recruit an experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic marine and freshwater environmental scientist.

In this role, you will:

- Provide technical leadership across the Analysis & Reporting team.
- Represent the team in technical discussions, internally, externally, and nationally.

- Oversee and ensure effective delivery of high-profile work areas, particularly our bathing water investigations.

- Experienced and comfortable analysing, interpreting and reporting multifunctional datasets.

- Be able to design fit-for-purpose monitoring programmes, utilising a variety of monitoring techniques.

- Be comfortable in public facing forums and able to translate complex data for different audiences.

As a senior member of the team, you will be expected, along with the two other Senior Environmental Monitoring Officers, to coach, mentor and develop less experienced staff, to improve resilience across work areas, and ensure any reports produced by the teams are of appropriate quality for their target audience.

The post holder can be based in either Blandford (DT11 8ST) or Bridgwater (TA6 4YS) office, but there will be a requirement to attend pollution incidents and deliver field work across the area, as a result the post holder must have a full driving licence. There is some flexible home working included; however, it is expected that you will be in the office a minimum of 3 days/week.
We are a friendly and supportive team of environmental scientists who provide a vital role in collecting, analysing and interpreting ecological, habitat and water quality data. We turn data into evidence and provide this to client teams across the Environment Agency and to external organisations. This information is used to assess the status of our environment; to direct and inform our management actions; and to monitor the environmental response to our own and others’ activities.
You will be educated to degree level or similar in a relevant discipline, e.g. ecology, biology, or have equivalent practical work experience, with the following skills/experience:

- At least 5 years’ experience of marine and/or freshwater environmental science in a regulatory capacity.

- Robust statistical analysis and reporting of complex, multifunctional data sets and interpreting this suitably for the target audience.

- Overseeing successful delivery of significant work areas.

- Managing successful relationships and liaison with internal; external and national stakeholders.

- Design and delivery of water quality investigations.

- Coaching and mentoring less experienced staff.

In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your:

- ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.

You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact Fiona.white@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews are anticipated to be held face to face in Blandford towards the end of January/beginning of February 2026.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Scientific Knowledge
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

Scientific Knowledge:
Applies scientific knowledge to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.

The role will require a good and broad understanding of water quality science. Please describe a time when you have used your experience in using water quality data to help answer a question.
Builds and Sustains Relationships
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

Builds and Sustains Relationships:
Develops and maintains effective working relationships.

It will be important to build and maintain effective relationships within the Analysis & Reporting team, with other teams within the area and nationally, and with external partner organisations.

Please provide an example that demonstrates your approach to building and maintaining effective working relationships.
Coaches Others
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

Coaches Others:
Uses variety of methods, including direct instruction, coaching and feedback skills to help others to develop.

The Senior Environmental Monitoring Officer is expected to be a respected technical coach able to support less experienced colleagues in gaining the skills to deliver environmental outcomes. Building technical skills resilience within the area is an important aspect of this role.

Describe a time when you have coached others to improve resilience in a particular area of work.
Data and Information Management
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

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

Please tell us about a time you have turned data into evidence to achieve an environmental outcome.
Full UK 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.

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.