Field Team Member 2 - 26658

At the Environment Agency our mission is simple: protect the environment to ensure tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, safer, healthier world. Our Operations Delivery department helps maintain river channels and flood defences, playing a vital role in protecting wildlife and safeguarding people throughout the region.

As part of a small, committed team, you’ll enjoy the physical demands of a role where you’ll be involved in everything from grass cutting, aquatic weed control, removing obstructions from watercourses and minor construction maintenance.

You’ll be working in all weathers, so you’ll need a love for the outdoors. As you’ll also be part of the Environment Agency emergency response, attending flooding and pollution incidents, you’ll be committed to taking part in a 24/7 standby rota.

If this is your first role or a career change don’t worry as we provide full training and support on safe use of all equipment and plant in order to carry out tasks safely. The most important thing we are looking for is a passion for being outdoors in the environment and your resilience and determination to succeed.

You will be expected to enrol on the Water Environment Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship: the primary mechanism for training new employees in Field Operations. To complete the apprenticeship you will need to have Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy (e.g. GCSE A-C, O Levels A-C). If you do not hold the qualifications, you will be supported through the process of obtaining them.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

These roles are based out of our Rainham depot. You will be expected to travel to your base depot to check in daily and then will be dispersed from there in smaller teams to carry out the field work tasks for that day. More on this and shift patterns will be explained at the interview. Part time requests and job-share may be considered on an individual basis.

You must have a positive and enthusiastic approach with a ‘can do’ attitude.

What do you need?
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Have an understanding of site health and safety requirements ensuring procedures are in place to minimise risk to yourself and others
• Be able to carry out tasks and answer queries effectively
• Be competent in using IT devices, such as an iPad, and willing to learn our in-house systems
• Hold a valid UK driving licence
• Previous experience of using plant and machinery is not essential but would be beneficial.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

At the Environment Agency, we go above and beyond when it comes to diversity—we seek out new perspectives, welcome different experiences and promote inclusivity both within our staff team as well as wider communities.

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

Please note that interviews are likely to take place at our Ware depot as our Rainham depot does not have capacity to hold interviews. There will be a practical element as well as some interview questions.

You will be based at our Rainham depot which attracts a London Weighting Allowance.

If you have any questions regarding the vacancy please contact the local recruitment team at wfpg_hnl@environment-agency.gov.uk.

In this role you will need to work safely managing your Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW). Please give us examples and experiences from your current or previous roles, and how you took account of it through your actions.


Please note: Your answers will be used for interview selection - ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Give an example of a particular task or project where you had to make decisions and solve problems to ensure its delivery. What was the task/problem and what did action did you take?


Please note: Your answers will be used for interview selection - ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Our Operational Field Teams often communicate with customers, such as land owners, partner organisations, members of the public and colleagues in other teams.

Can you describe a time you have had to use good communications skills to get a message understood - what needed to be communicated and how did you ensure others understood?


Please note: Your answers will be used for interview selection - ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Must have a valid full UK driving license