Senior Advisor Contaminated Land and Minewaters - 31670

Senior Advisor Contaminated Land and Minewaters - 31670
1
National
All
Staff Grade 6
Permanent
Programme and Project Management
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Compressed Hours
£52,929

21/09/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Are you a strategic thinker with a proven track record of delivery and experience in land contamination and /or abandoned mines?
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join the national Land & Contamination Management team as a Senior Advisor to lead our innovative and exciting project work to tackle the historic legacy of land contamination and water pollution from abandoned mines.
You will:
• Be the Environment Agency’s Programme Executive for both the Contaminated Land and Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programmes.

• Support and deliver on contentious issues arising from legacy contamination, helping to support Government growth ambitions and our commitments under the Environmental Improvement Plan.

• Build positive relationships with Defra and other government departments, stakeholders and partners, including leading our national engagement with the Mining Remediation Authority on dealing with water pollution caused by historical coal mining and recovering heat from underground coal mines.

• Share your technical expertise across the broad spectrum of our land contamination portfolio, including work to; support remediation of land affected by contamination via voluntary remediation or spatial planning, review and update of environmental permits for treatment of contaminated soils and groundwater, regulation of Part 2A Special Sites and preparation and publication of State of Contaminated Land Reports.

• Lead and mange a small number of direct reports working in this technical field.
You will join the Land & Contamination Management Team in the Environment & Business (E&B) Directorate. We’re a dispersed team and work with a wide range of technical and project teams across the country.
In E&B we promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We use evidence, expertise, engagement, and innovation to enhance and support delivery, influence policy, legislation, and secure resources.
In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your:

• Technical expertise and experience of tackling legacy contamination from land contamination and /or pollution from abandoned mines (preferably both) and how you manage the risks and challenges.
• Operational knowledge and experience of the relevant legislation and statutory / best practice technical guidance. A thorough understanding of the Contaminated Land Regime under Part 2A EPA 1990 is desirable.
• Project and programme management experience including investigation / remediation of land affected by contamination or water polluted by abandoned mines, delivering results to time, cost and quality.
• Experience of successfully leading and managing high performing teams.
• Experience of informing and influencing government departments or stakeholders on contentious or complex topics

Technical requirements

• Qualified to at least degree level in a relevant discipline (Essential).
• Chartered or working towards chartership (Desirable).

Development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
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.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid.

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact phil.whitaker@environment-agency.gov.uk

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

Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.

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.
Manages Self
Description: Has full awareness of own strengths, weaknesses, impact and approach. Effectively organises self and takes personal responsibility for own role in the Environment Agency

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.

Question: Please describe how your skills, experience and approach make you a good candidate for the role described in this advert.
Programme and Project Management
Description: Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively

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

Question: Tell us about a land contamination or mine waters project or programme of work that you have led or had senior involvement with. How did you actively manage the programme, agree milestone dates and ensure others worked to the agreed deadlines? And how did you ensure cost and quality were maintained throughout?
Leads People
Description: Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency

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

Question: Give an example of when you have successfully led your team to accomplish significant achievements in difficult or complicated circumstances. We want to know things like:
• What were the circumstances and why were they difficult?
• What did your team have to deliver?
• How did you inspire them to maintain a high standard of performance?
• What was the outcome?
• What did you learn from this situation
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.

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

Question: Describe a time when you have successfully persuaded a key stakeholder to follow your advice on the direction of a major project or piece of work, in the face of considerable challenge.

• What was the situation?
• Why was your stakeholder initially opposed to your views?
• How did you present your argument?
• What do you think was the key to your success?
• What have you learnt from this situation?
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.