Environment Monitoring Manager - 26703

We’re offering an exciting opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking organisation with the environment at its core. The Environment Agency offers you a chance to proactively improve the world we live in by addressing the climate and nature emergencies.

We’re looking for two kind, compassionate and inclusive leaders to head up teams who deliver environmental monitoring in the field. The National Monitoring Field Team are a national service who collect thousands of water samples every year for chemical, microbiological and ecological examination. We undertake fish surveys and groundwater measurements and respond to environmental incidents. Our work is critical in providing evidence that enables Environment Agency colleagues to establish how best to protect and improve the environment.

These roles are for two Hub Managers in the National Monitoring Field Team. You will be accountable for up to 70 dispersed people through up to six direct reports. You will work collaboratively with the other three Hub Managers and manage a specific business area: for example, implementing a new monitoring programme will be a key goal for one of these roles.

Our work can be fast-paced and reactive. Therefore you will need to be resilient, motivated and organised.

We are recruiting two Environmental Monitoring Hub Managers. One must be located in South East England; the location of the second is negotiable but must align with our desire to create four hubs across England. You will need to visit the people and sites within your hub regularly and travel across the country several times a year. You will be based at an office, but able to work from home on a regular basis. We would consider flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job-share.

The National Monitoring Field Team are a passionate and hard-working team of around 250 staff who plan, schedule and undertake environmental monitoring activities. This work includes surface, ground and coastal waters, using specialised equipment and boats. Covering all of England, we are currently 18 teams structured into three hubs. As Hub Managers, you’ll be expected to drive forward the creation of a fourth hub. Our teams and hubs collaborate to deliver monitoring outcomes nationally.

You’ll be passionate about people and inclusivity. You will have good self-awareness and understanding of your personal impact, with an ability to flex your approach for different audiences. You’ll be organised, motivated and resilient.
You will be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential:
● Experience of people management in an operational environment.
● Effective change management.
● Developing and leading cross-cutting projects to deliver business outcomes.
● Good influencing and people skills.
● Prioritisation of your work and that of your teams.
● Effective communication with a variety of stakeholders.

You may also have experience of:
● Improving equality, diversity and inclusion
● Environmental sciences and / or monitoring
● Budget management

We value a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community who wish to join a workforce which values difference and welcomes everyone.

We aim to create and maintain a diverse workforce that better reflects the UK’s economically active population. We recognise the challenges that individuals with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience in the job market. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities.

If you would like to discuss the role, reasonable adjustments, working patterns, base locations etc, please contact melanie.bischer@environment-agency.gov.uk or chris.mann@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Interviews will take place online w/c 26 June. Assessments will include a variety of methods to help get the best out of every candidate.

Delivers results through others: Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.

As Environmental Monitoring Hub Manager, you will often have to deal with conflicting demands and changing priorities.

Please give us an example of how you have worked with your team(s) and / or stakeholders to maintain delivery in such circumstances.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection. Please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

You may find it helpful to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response. Our capability definitions are available on the internet.

Influences and persuades: 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.

As Environmental Monitoring Hub Manager, you’ll need to influence and persuade a variety of stakeholders, including senior leaders.

Please give an example of how you have used your influencing skills to gain buy in from senior leaders.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection. Please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

You may find it helpful to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response. Our capability definitions are available on the internet.

Leads people: Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency.

This role is all about getting the best out of people, as line manager, grandparent manager, project manager and working across the business.

Please give us an example of how you have got the best from a diverse group of people to meet a business objective?

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection. Please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

You may find it helpful to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response. Our capability definitions are available on the internet.

Manages change: Understands role in leading change. Successfully leads change in own team.

As Environmental Monitoring Hub Manager, you’ll be leading work that will involve embedding change across the Directorate.

Please give an example of where you have embedded change in an organisation and how you overcame the challenges you faced.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection. Please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

You may find it helpful to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response. Our capability definitions are available on the internet.