Water Resources Officer (up to 18 months FTC) - 32202

Water Resources Officer (up to 18 months FTC) - 32202
1
East of England, London, South East
Welwyn Garden City
DEFRA GRP EA ALCHEMY, AL7 1HE
Staff Grade 4
Fixed Term
Operational Delivery, Science
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share
£34,320 Pro-rata

18/11/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Join the Environment Agency and help us protect our environment while preserving it for future generations.

We're on a mission to create lasting change for people's lives across every corner of society. We believe having an inclusive workforce is essential in representing the communities we serve, and this role provides just that!

Water is essential for drinking, washing, recreation, industry and health. Our environment and economy depend on this precious resource.

The pressure on water resources from climate change and population growth means that managing water abstractions has never been more important.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with good communication, and with a strong background in data and information management skills to support our role in managing Water Resources in Hertfordshire and North London.

Supported by our Water Resource Specialists, you will help to protect and improve the quantity of water available for wildlife, people and future generations. You will do this by supporting workloads such as:

• Advising on water resource licence applications, including abstraction and impoundments.
• Responding to requests for data and information.
• Support the delivery of projects and investigations related to abstraction activities.
• Supporting our work to protect our chalk streams and aquifers.
• Updating our water resource assessments and abstraction licensing strategies.
• Supporting the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP)
• Providing technical administrative support to other team members.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role. This may attract an additional payment; full training and alternative working arrangements will be available.
The Integrated Environment Planning team is at the centre of local environmental planning and regulation. We use evidence to better understand the pressures on the local environment and focus resources to improve things for wildlife and people. 

Our area is exciting – we have chalk rivers, urban catchments and diverse communities to serve. We are a diverse and friendly team at the heart of environmental decision making, facilitating integrated actions to solve complex problems.
Good organisational skills/discipline and the ability to plan, track, deliver and evaluate work.

Able to work under own initiative and as part of a larger, cross-functional/multidisciplinary team

Good research/analysis skills, supporting an ability to make proportionate, evidence-based inferences/proposals from information.

Experience of gathering, maintaining and quality-assuring data/information.

Sensitive to the needs of different customers and able to deliver outcomes through these.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Knowledge and experience in one or more of these subject areas would be highly desirable: hydrology, water resource management, Geographical Information Systems
The role will be based in our Welwyn Garden City office, although we currently work flexibly with a mixture of office and home working.

At the Environment Agency, we go above and beyond when it comes to diversity—we seek out new perspectives, welcome different experiences and promote inclusivity both within our staff team as well as wider communities.

Check out our Candidate Pack for more information about this amazing opportunity today!

For further information please contact Rob Fox (Rob.Fox@environment-agency.gov.uk)

Interviews are expected to be held in person early to mid December at our Alchemy Office in Hertfordshire.
Up to 18 months
Achieves Results
Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Question: Describe how you have delivered a busy workload successfully. How did you prioritise, what were the challenges, what were the results?
Data and Information Management
Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.

Question: Tell us about a project where you had to collect and manage large or complex datasets from multiple sources.

How did you ensure accuracy, consistency, and accessibility of the information?
Communicates Effectively
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Question: Please describe how you have tailored your communication style to meet the requirements of different stakeholders or customers on a piece of work.
A full UK driving Licence would be useful.
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.