Environmental Monitoring Officer - 20206

1
East of England
Ipswich
Iceni House
Staff Grade 3
Permanent
Full Time
Environment & Sustainability, Science
£23,963
We’re looking for an enthusiastic freshwater ecologist to help create, analyse and report data on the ecological health of the aquatic environment.

You will carry out a range of tasks, including:

• Identifying invertebrates from river samples
• Taking invertebrate samples from rivers and lakes
• Carrying out plant surveys in rivers, lakes and estuarine habitats
• Carrying out river habitat surveys
• Using a range of databases to enter and extract data
• Analysing data and writing reports

Training in survey and identification will be available, although some experience is desirable.

You will be expected to work in the Ipswich lab to sort and identify invertebrate samples, which will form the majority of your workload.

You will also be involved in fieldwork across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. At other times you may have the opportunity to work from home.

Participation in incident response is very much encouraged, both environment management and flooding. We have a flexible range of roles you can volunteer for and you’ll get all the training and support you need. If successful your line manager will discuss arrangements with you depending on your role and circumstances.
The Analysis & Reporting team provides a vital service in collecting, analysing and interpreting biological and water quality data, turning this into evidence to support the Environment Agency’s responsibilities and ambition to create a better place. Our work includes water chemistry, ecology and fisheries.

We are dispersed between offices at Norwich, Ipswich and Kelvedon, with lab work carried out at Ipswich. You will work collaboratively both within the team and with other teams.
We are seeking an Environmental Monitoring Officer with freshwater ecological experience. You’ll normally be qualified to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g. ecology or environmental sciences/biology) and have some experience and knowledge of:

• identification of aquatic macro-invertebrate specimens, preferably to species
• data analysis and interpretation using biological metrics
• biological survey work for freshwater invertebrates and macrophytes

Experience of using Excel and Word is essential. You need to be able to work effectively on your own and within a team and be able to produce clear written work.

You must have a clean driving licence.

You will be willing to undertake specialist/or further training when necessary.

The candidate pack and role profile available below, should be read along with the advert in order to understand the key accountabilities and skills needed to succeed in this role.
We value a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community who wish to join an organisation which values everyone.

Everyone starting in a new role with the Environment Agency will be welcomed and given all of the training and support needed to succeed.

We offer an extensive range of employee benefits and there are fully funded opportunities to develop further academic/professional qualifications.

Hours : 37 per week although requests to work part time may be considered.
A full UK driving licence is essential.

If you have any questions on these posts please contact the hiring manager: julia.stansfield@environment-agency.gov.uk or on 07833 441628.

Please note in our current working environment, interviews will be held remotely by video conference/telephone.

06/12/2021, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Achieves Results
Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answer given to the question below that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. A copy of our "EA capability dictionary" can be viewed by searching online using any web browser.

Please describe an example of when your plans to achieve a challenging work objective had to change and what you did to adjust while still succeeding in the task. How did you involve others in the process?
Scientific Knowledge
Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answer given to the question below that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. A copy of our "EA capability dictionary" can be viewed by searching online using any web browser.

Please detail your experience and ability to identify freshwater taxa e.g. macro-invertebrates, plants.
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answer given to the question below that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. A copy of our "EA capability dictionary" can be viewed by searching online using any web browser.

Please give details of an example when you have analysed and interpreted ecological data for a particular purpose.
Driving Licence
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.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.