Mechanical Engineer - 32073

Mechanical Engineer - 32073
3
East of England, South East
Oxford , Sunbury-on-Thames , Waltham Abbey
DEFRA GRP EA NEWMANS SLUICES STORE, EN9 1BA, DEFRA GRP EA OSNEY LOCK, OX2 0AX, DEFRA GRP EA SUNBURY DEPOT, TW16 6AH
Staff Grade 4
Permanent
Environment & Sustainability
Full Time, Part Time
£34,320

16/11/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Want to make a difference and help water conveyance within Thames area’s Flood and Costal Risk Management (FCRM)?

Predominantly working across Thames and parts of Hertfordshire and North London, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation (MEICA) Engineers provide vital, in house, maintenance and repairs on equipment ranging from 1940’s pumps and Navigable Locks up to the very latest PLC controlled systems. Playing a very important role in the protection of people, property and the environment.

In Thames we want to create a diverse workplace where people are respected, valued and listened to. We’re all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where jointly we all grow and learn together.
It is our ambition to champion diversity through building a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.

As a MEICA Mechanical Engineer your day-to-day role will see you travelling across the region (work vehicle provided) conducting routine maintenance activities, reactive maintenance and attending breakdowns. Additionally carrying out small projects such as gearbox and drive system replacements.

These posts are full-time. The team currently work a 9-day fortnight with every other Friday off.

You will be required to take on an Incident Response role as part of your contract. Typically, this will be on call MEICA on a 6-week rotation.

Everyone starting in a new role with the Environment Agency will be welcomed into the team and given all of the training and support needed to succeed. You will be provided with a van, all the necessary tools, and Personal Protective Equipment to enable you to complete your job both safely and to the high standards which we set ourselves.
The Field MEICA team is an integral part of the Local FCRM Operations department, undertaking asset management, maintenance and incident response.

We are a small team of mechanically skilled members.

The team supports both flood risk management and waterways, providing mechanical assistance to the business, making sure our assets are operating, fit for purpose and safe.
Essential:
NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a Mechanical Engineering discipline.
Ability to work in a small, dispersed team, potentially the sole engineer on site.
Able to make informed, effective, engineering decisions and repairs in a timely manner.
Able to confidently access assemblies or platforms using ladders and stairwells.
Use supplied Personal Electronic Devices to accurately record maintenance activities, faults and repairs.
Ability to work in all weather conditions in a mix of urban and rural environments.
A valid UK manual driving license.
Ability to travel to your base depot within 60 minutes to respond to incidents and meet urgent business needs.

It would be helpful, but not essential, if you had:
Experience of Hydraulic and mechanical drive systems.
Nationally recognised Welding qualification.
Awareness of Electronic Control systems.

You'll have the opportunity to gain further skills and knowledge to complement and enhance your existing capabilities.
Please note that this role does not qualify for skilled worker sponsorship.

The base location for these roles will be at one of our depots in Oxford or Sunbury. You will travel from there to sites across the region.

The candidate pack and generic role profile should be read along with the advert.

We offer a fantastic benefits package including an attractive salary, flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and an award-winning Pension Fund. See the candidate pack for more details



The interviews for this role are expected to begin from the 25th of November. If you have any questions please do contact David Platt via email at david.platt@environment-agency.gov.uk
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Please note we do not assess CVs. Answers to these competency questions will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your responses. You have up to 250 words so please do use them to tell us what we need to know about you. See Candidate pack for more details and a link to our capability dictionary.

Tell us of a time when you were presented with a fault that you had never come across. Explain your thought process (failure diagnosis) and how you resolved the issue.
Deals with Hostile Situations
In this role you could encounter members of the public including residents near our structures, as well as colleagues from other teams. Sometimes they will be unhappy about matters unrelated to your role but will look to you for answers. Using an example, if possible, explain how you would look to resolve a potentially hostile situation.
Builds and Sustains Relationships
Field MEICA is a small Engineering team that works across a large geographical area, supporting numerous other departments. You will interact with these other teams on a daily basis. Give an example of when you needed to quickly build rapport with a stranger(s) to achieve a result.
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.