Catchment Engineer - 34616

Catchment Engineer - 34616
1
East of England
Chelmsford , Colchester , Ipswich , Norwich
DEFRA GRP DRAGONFLY HOUSE, NR3 1UB, DEFRA GRP EA CHELMSFORD OFFICE, CM2 6NZ, DEFRA GRP EA ICENI HOUSE, IP3 9JD, DEFRA GRP EA RIVERS HOUSE KELVEDON, CO5 9SE
Staff Grade 6
Permanent
Engineering, Operational Delivery
Full Time
£54,940

15/06/2026, 23:55 hours

AM06 Assets Management, Grade 6

Basic Check

We have an exciting opportunity for a Chartered Engineer to provide specialist technical leadership and guidance across the East Anglia Area. This role offers the chance to work on a varied portfolio of projects, helping us continue to reduce flood risk and protect communities and the environment.  

In East Anglia, we actively manage a diverse and far-reaching portfolio of assets across our rivers and coastlines, helping to better protect people, property and the environment. 

You will play a key role in the asset management of statutory reservoirs, flood embankments, defence walls and other major civil engineering structures.  

As an experienced engineer, you will:  

- Provide independent technical oversight of our critical assets and reservoirs  

- Lead on engineering matters across the area  

- Support and develop our Deputy Catchment Engineers  

You will work collaboratively with teams to provide technical assurance on our investment programme and contribute to key decisions on asset refurbishment. You will also coach and mentor less experienced colleagues, helping to develop the next generation of engineers.  

Responding to incidents is central to our work. You will be required to undertake an incident role and make yourself available to respond to events or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract additional payment, and full training will be provided. 

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.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the East Anglia Operations Leadership Team, within the Local Operations Directorate.  

Our Operations teams manage a diverse range of Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) assets.  

We do this safely and efficiently to reduce flood risk and enhance the environment. As asset owners, operators and maintainers, we aim to optimise investment decisions and be an exemplar asset management organisation.  

We are looking for someone with passion and commitment to engineering in flood risk management. You should be comfortable working independently, as part of a local team, and within a wider national network of Catchment Engineers.

Essential:  

- Degree in engineering with Chartered (CEng) Civil or Structural Engineer status  

- Strong communication skills and a customer-focused mindset  

- Knowledge and experience of Health, Safety and Environmental requirements  

- Proven technical leadership experience  

- Full UK driving licence 

Desirable:  

- Experience in Flood Risk Management  

- Reservoir construction or management experience  

- Practical experience managing infrastructure assets  

- Contract management experience within the construction sector  

You will be a methodical and analytical problem solver, able to make evidence-based decisions and support others in doing the same. You will build strong working relationships, demonstrate a positive, proactive attitude, and take ownership of your professional development while encouraging others.

We operate a hybrid working model, with attendance required at offices across East Anglia and regular travel to sites throughout the area.  

Salary: £54,940 plus a Market Forces Factor (MFF) allowance (currently £6,000 for Chartered status). 

We offer a fantastic benefits package including flexible working, 27 days annual leave, and an award-winning Pension Fund. See the candidate pack for more details. 

Any queries, please do contact David Knagg via david.knagg@environment-agency.gov.uk 

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

Please read the Candidate pack and generic role profile for more information on the role and how to apply. 

Interviews are planned to be held in person at our Ipswich Office on 1st and 2nd July, but this may change. 

Asset Systems Management
The Catchment Engineer will take a lead role in embedding a sustainable whole life asset management approach, thereby contributing to the Environment Agency’s aim of becoming a world leading asset management organisation.

Can you describe a time when you identified and prioritised a technical solution or intervention to address a complex engineering problem or project? Please explain how you applied asset management principles, such as whole-life cost, risk, performance and sustainability, to inform your decision-making.

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
Leads People
The Catchment Engineer role requires you to bring together skills across asset management teams, providing clear technical leadership and direction while creating an environment where individuals can contribute with their strengths and perform at their best.

Can you please describe a time when you have led a team or individual in this way? How did you tailor your leadership to individuals, and what was the outcome? Please also explain how you have supported the development of the team or colleagues.
Health Safety & Wellbeing
Please describe a time when you identified a health, safety or wellbeing risk that required a change in working practices. What prompted your concern, how did you take ownership to address it, and what impact did your actions have on improving safety outcomes?

In your answer, please outline:
- The situation and the existing working practices that presented a risk
- How you recognised and assessed the issue
- The actions you took to influence or implement change
- The outcome, including how risks were reduced and any lasting improvements
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
In the Catchment Engineer role, you will work collaboratively across teams while also using your professional engineering judgement to make critical decisions independently when required.

Please tell us about a time when you were required to make a difficult engineering decision quickly, with incomplete information. How did you analyse the situation, manage risk and uncertainty, and ensure your decision was sound? What was the result?
Full UK driving licence
Chartered membership of the Institute of Civil Engineers or Institute of Structural Engineers
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.