Senior Water Resource Planner - 23538

This is an opportunity to join the Environment Agency within the area of Water Resources Planning as a Water Resources Planner working directly with the Water Industry. It is an exciting opportunity to join a team working with Water Companies, Internal colleagues as we work to secure sustainable water supplies beyond 2050. The role will require working directly with the Water Industry on their statutory requirements to build resilience at both Company and Regional level at a time of climate change and the challenges this brings at a local, regional, and national level.
The role will include working in & supporting virtual teams in the delivery of water resources work as well as an opportunity to develop your own skills, knowledge, and experience to enhance your career opportunities with the Environment Agency. You will provide administrative support to the wider teams as well as work on pieces of work in support of the wider aims and goals of the Environment Agency. There will be opportunities to broaden your experience by being part of a wide array of different groups working on People, HSW, EDI, where bringing people together will enhance the output and support the wider operation.

The teamwork with Water Companies on their statutory requirements to supply water to the Public, Agriculture & Industry within England’s borders alongside internal Environment Agency & External Partners colleagues such as Natural England. Our main customers are Water Companies within England.
The team influence and ensure the right investment and decisions are made by water companies to protect and enhance the immediate and longer-term future needs of water supply, the ecology, and the environment.

Experience/skills required
You will have experience within a Water Resource planning role, and/or possess proven relevant/appropriate workplace experience. You will have proven ability/expert knowledge that incorporates at least some of the following:

- Experience in water resources planning and water resources issues.
- Effective working with external organisations, particularly water companies.
- Strong communication and networking skills to influence and deliver outcomes
- Interpreting/evaluating evidence to propose and implement effective solutions for challenging problems
- Shaping and facilitating change/new ways of working to improve efficient and productivity.
- Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
- Additional skills in a related technical discipline would be an advantage, for example: WR modelling, hydrology, licensing, supply, and demand forecasting.

Desirable but not essential
- Experience of using office 360, including SharePoint.

For further information please contact Ian Robinson at iana.robinson@environment-agency.gov.uk or 07785523277.

The role will require some travel and potential overnight stays to attend internal or external meetings.
We operate a hybrid working model split between home and office working depending on business needs.
Interview invites will be based on the responses provided to the competency questions, Influences & Persuades Others, Strategic Environmental Planning & Takes Decisions and Solves Problems.

Please note: Your answer will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your responses.

Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
In this role you will work with a range of stakeholders and may need to influence or persuade then to consider a different perspective or approach. Please give an example of when you have used data or a well-structured argument to Influence or Persuaded a person or organisation to adopt a different decision, process, or outcome?
• Who did you Influence or Persuade?
• What was the decision, process, or outcome you were trying to influence?
• What approach did you personally take to influence or persuade others?
• What did you learn from the experience?
You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response.

Please note: Your answer will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your responses.

Strategic Environment Planning
Description
Develops, delivers, and implements strategic plans for the sustainable use, protection, and improvement of our environment.

In this role the impact on the Environment will have a key influence some of the decisions which will be made during Statutory and Regional Planning. Please give an example of when you have considered the impact on the Environment in the decision making you have made whether that has been in an academic or work situation.

• What was the situation that needed Strategic Environmental Planning as part of the decision making?
• What factors did you consider?
• How did you balance the needs of the situation against the Environmental impact?
• What did you learn from the experience?
You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response.

Please note: Your answer will be used for interview selection – please draw out your skills and experience in your responses.

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

In this role you will be expected to take decisions and solve problems for both your own work as well as in support of colleagues. Please give an example of when you have had a to make a Decision or Solve a Problem on your own which resulted in a successful outcome when the outcome was potentially in doubt?

• What was the Decisions or problem that you need to Take or Solve?
• What was it important that you resolved the situation?
• What process did you g through to come to the right outcome?
• Did you consult or seek support?
• What did you learn from this experience?
You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your responses.