Fisheries Technical Officer - 31945

This is an exciting opportunity to work as a Technical Fisheries Officer within the Fisheries Operations team based in Thames. 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 some of the most significant chalk stream habitat in the UK including the River Kennet.

As a Fisheries Technical Officer, you will:

- Have a strong foundation in fisheries science 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.

The role has a strong area incident response element. There is a need to work flexibly and take part in the fisheries duty officer 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 Fisheries Operations 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 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.

This role is office based (Farnham) but with some flexibility and hybrid working options. However, there is a requirement for a 2hr in hours and 4hr out of hours incident response time. The role involves travel across the area and work in the field, and therefore a full driving licence is required. There is also an expectation that you would take on the role of fisheries duty officer as part of a 24hr standby roster. All Environment Agency staff receive training to support our response to major incidents.

Interviews for this role are expected to begin from the 11th of August. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role, please contact Team Leader Peter Gray Peter.gray@environement-agency.gov.uk.

You will be required to manage and prioritise your own workload. Delivery of work needs to be timely and mindful of both the teams and your own resource.

Can you give me an example of a significant piece of work you have delivered? What did you do and what were the outcomes?

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. Some customers in particular can often ask difficult or confrontational questions, especially where their opinions may not align with yours.

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?

Fisheries as a function has a very broad customer base, internally and externally. Providing an excellent level of customer service is paramount even where we are unable to meet all expectations.

Can you give an example of where you have delivered this type of work?

Full UK driving license