Water Quality Specialist - 34568

Water Quality Specialist - 34568
2
South East
Wallingford
DEFRA GRP EA RED KITE HOUSE, OX10 8BD
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Environment & Sustainability, Science
Full Time, Part Time
£43,198

23/06/2026, 23:55 hours

ER05 Job Family Role Profile Environment & Regulation, Grade 5

Basic Check

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with good planning, communication and data handling skills to help plan and deliver multi-functional environmental benefits, with the primary focus being Water Quality. 
 
The successful candidate will work on a variety of aspects of strategic water planning to understand the risks, find solutions and work with those who can effect change. They will review, challenge and advise stakeholder plans and permissions, and ensure they comply with environmental regulations. They will also be required to understand, analyse and translate a variety of data/information into evidence that can be used to inform and influence decisions by technical and non-technical audiences. 
 
This post is a water quality technical role working both with water companies and internal teams to reduce impacts from sewage discharges. Knowledge and experience of the following would be advantageous:
• Water company price review and asset management plans 
• Knowledge of sewage treatment works and sewerage network processes and operation including Urban Pollution Management processes and standards 
• Awareness of measures to protect the water quality of drinking water supplies from diffuse pollution sources 
• Responding to water quality permit consultations and determination of waste water continuous and intermittent discharge permit limits 
• Water industry wastewater management 
• Environmental legislation relevant to sewage discharges and water quality 
• Supporting local and national working groups and projects 
• Advising and facilitating resolution of complex or contentious issues 
• Responding to planning and development consultations 

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to take on an incident role and be available to respond or support business continuity. This may include additional pay, with full training and flexible working arrangements provided.

You will join the Integrated Environment Planning team, made up of specialists in water resources, water quality and catchment planning, working across the Thames Area.

We’re a friendly and supportive team of experienced advisors central to environmental decision making. We work with internal and external partners to collate, analyse and share data, providing evidence to inform Area priorities and deliver actions that maximise benefits for people and the environment.

Ideally qualified to degree level, preferably in an environmental discipline and/or have experience in the following areas:- 
 
Essential: 
• A good understanding of our business and environmental activities and have strong IT skills 
• Have the ability to demonstrate specialist technical leadership and mentoring 
• Water quality data analysis/research and/or modelling tools and techniques, and their outputs, to support proportionate, evidence-based inferences/proposals from information 
• Experience of gathering, maintaining, quality-assuring and presenting data/information to inform and influence decisions 
• Experience of translating guidance and instructions into delivery 
• Ability to work under own initiative, and as part of a larger, cross-functional team, prioritising and delivering work to relevant standards and deadlines 
• Good organisational skills/discipline and the ability to plan, track, deliver and evaluate own work 
• Communicating effectively with a wide range of customers 

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. 

The role will be based in our Wallingford office and will require some travel. We support flexible working where possible. 

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact katie.newton@environment-agency.gov.uk or southeastresourcing@environment-agency.gov.uk 
 
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. 
 
Interviews will likely be held face-to-face during the week commencing 20 July 
 
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. 

Influences and Persuades Others
Provide an example of a situation where you had to influence or persuade stakeholders or partners to adopt a particular approach or decision, especially when facing competing priorities or where investment is needed. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.

Feedback is generally not available at sift stage
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Tell us about a time when you have had to co-ordinate information from a variety of sources in order to solve a difficult technical problem.
Delivers Results Through Others
Please tell us about a project or initiative that you had to deliver through others and to a tight deadline or under challenging circumstances.
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.