Field Operations Technical and Contracts advisor - 31772

As we continue to Modernise Asset Management this role will support the programming, commercial and technical management of suppliers delivering our revenue maintenance activities within Thames Area, whilst strengthening technical skills and assurance of our Field Operations Teams enabling efficient and safe delivery of our maintenance programmes.

Reporting directly to the Field Team Leader, you will build working relationships with the Local Delivery Lead, Asset Performance teams, Water Land and Biodiversity teams, and framework suppliers to develop and deliver an optimised programme of work. This role is an area role so you will be responsible for all elements of asset management; FCRM, Navigations and Water, Land and Biodiversity assets.

Your duties will include:
• Review programmes to optimise delivery arrangements, whilst ensuring our assets reduce flood risk to the communities they protect.
• Manage and develop contract arrangements to ensure they meet our future requirements.
• Work with field operations to ensure efficient use of our staff as they operate, respond and maintain assets.
• Building relationships, internally and externally.
• Assessing and assuring the health and safety of our field teams and suppliers to ensure they deliver work required standards.
• Provide assurance skills, knowledge and experience to internally and externally delivered work.
• Monthly reporting on key information to inform the wider business.
• Working with the local delivery lead to ensure we stay within budget and get value for money.

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.

The Thames Area Operations Teams are motivated, vibrant and successful, offering a great place to work. They have a pivotal role in delivering our strategic goal of ‘assets operate when required’; our ambition to deliver a world class asset management service; and in particular planning and delivery of revenue maintenance activities. We maintain an extensive range of flood defence assets and as part of our ambition to be lead asset managers we have achieved ISO55001.

You’ll be confident, organised and able to demonstrate a great track record of delivering projects / programmes of work.

Knowledge and demonstrating experience of the following are essential:
• A Full driving licence.
• Managing health, safety and wellbeing through on site management.
• Familiar and competent using Microsoft Office with willingness to learn our in-house systems.
• Managing contractors and/or NEC contract management.
• Knowledge and experience of Asset Management.
• Ability to manage a programme of works.
• HNC/HND with Contract and/or Construction Management Modules, or EA NVQ Level 4 or relevant technical qualification equivalent.

Desirable:
• Site Managers Safety Training Scheme
• Formal contract management training with NEC4 or similar.
• Experience in technical leadership or people management skills desirable Experience managing projects within the Environment Agency
• A familiarity with assets in Thames area will be beneficial but not essential

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises. Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and an active way to support communities.

We offer an extensive range of employee benefits and opportunities to progress your career with us via professional training routes such as apprenticeships and degree programmes.

This role is an office-based role, with some work on site. There is the option for limited hybrid working. This role is not suitable for remote working. Interviews for this role are due to begin form the 29th September. For any questions relating to this role, please contact: Adella Buckland (Local Delivery Lead) Adella.Buckland@environment-agency.gov.uk

Please tell us about your experience of project and programme management, demonstrating how you delivered the work using the resources available.

Please provide an example when you have successfully influenced and persuaded colleagues or suppliers to follow, engage, and support your plans to deliver a new initiative or way of working. Consider what the situation was, why they were opposed to your view, what the key to succeeding was and what you learnt.

Please provide an example when you have delivered a significant improvement to the safety and environment during the delivery of an annual or longer duration piece of work.

Please provide an example where you have developed and maintained a relationship with internal or external colleagues, describing any challenges you had and how the outcome benefited from the relationship.