Fisheries Technical Officer - 32057

This is an exciting opportunity to work as a Technical Fisheries Officer within the Fisheries team based in the East Midlands. This is part of the area Fisheries Biodiversity and Geomorphology department.

Successful candidates will be expected to provide high quality fisheries advice to a variety of internal and external customers. Taking a risk-based approach to help protect and improve the water environment and water-dependent wildlife. This position focusses on significant water catchments within the East Midlands.

As a Fisheries Technical Officer, you will:

- Have a strong foundation in fisheries knowledge and practical fisheries management.
- Excellent communication skills and experience of working with a wide range of people is essential.
- You will be expected to deliver environmental outcomes and build strong relationships, both within the team and with internal and external stakeholders.
- You will be well-organised and have the confidence to work independently and on your own initiative.
- Expected to travel within your allocated catchment

The role has a strong area incident response element. There is a need to work flexibly and take part in the 24hr out of hours roster.

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 embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.

The East Midlands Fisheries team uses a risk-based approach to protect and improve the water environment for fisheries. We provide advice on high-risk permits, consents, licences and planning applications to ensure that biodiversity, fisheries and ecosystems are protected, and where possible enhanced. Through promotion and publicity, we raise awareness of angling opportunities with our partners, deliver the rod licence checking programme, provide incident response and undertake river habitat enhancement work.

It is essential that you have:

• A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience.
• A good understanding of practical fisheries management techniques and excellent fish identification skills.
• A Full UK driving licence

It is desirable that you have:

• A good general understanding of fisheries legislation and law.
• Are self-motivated, acting independently with a pro-active approach.
• Strong influencing skills with ideally experience of engaging key stakeholders.
• Are a confident communicator.
• Excellent time management skills with an ability to manage an unpredictable workload and balance conflicting needs and priorities is essential.

Role is based in Nottingham with flexibility and hybrid working options. There is an expectation of 1-2 days per week within the office.

Travel across the area and work in the field will be required, and therefore a full driving licence is essential

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises, having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and is an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment. Further information on incident response can be found within your candidate pack.

Interviews are expected W/C 20th October. If you have any questions, please contact Team Leader Lewis.Robinson@environment-agency.gov.uk

The fisheries officer role is vital in protecting, maintaining, and improving fisheries. This requires delivering environmental outcomes.
please can you provide an example of a time when you have achieved results.

In this role you are often seen as the face of the environment agency. This is an important ambassadorial element of the role. This can instigate questions and conversations that can be targeted, confrontational and often where opinions do not align. The role will bring you into contact with a range of people, departments and organisations both internal and external.
Can you give an example of how you have dealt with an external customer that had a differing viewpoint to yours, and how you manage this interaction?
Focusing on how you approached the interaction, methos of communication and the outcome.

The Environment Agency is an environmental regulator and within the role of fisheries officer you need to determine applications for work impacting upon the environment.
Can you provide an example when you have been involved making key decisions or solving problems?

This role will include both team & independent working, with the expectation to be well-organised and have the confidence to work independently and on your own initiative.

Can you describe a time when you had to manage multiple work tasks simultaneously. What deadlines were you working to? How did you handle this? What tools and techniques did you use? What was the outcome?

Yes – Full UK Driving Licence