Advisor - Water Quality Permitting Strategy - 31813

We are seeking an experienced advisor to join our Water Quality Permitting Strategy Team within the Environment & Business (E&B) department. This role is an exciting opportunity to be at the centre of the Environment Agency to improve England’s water quality. The tasks will be varied but will focus on our work on regulation of water discharge activities.
The team focuses on:
•Developing permitting strategies to address complex water quality issues across industries.
•Creating and embedding evidence-based policies to improve regulatory outcomes.
•Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to align permitting with environmental challenges.
•Streamlining processes and adopting digital tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
As an advisor you will:
•Both lead and support complex water quality permitting projects to meet legal and environmental standards.
•Develop and implement long-term strategic approaches to water regulation.
•Be customer focussed, seeking opportunities to work with others across government, other Agencies, industry and environmental bodies.
•Analyse water quality data to inform policy and permitting approaches.
•Drive innovation and continuous improvement in regulatory practices.
•Be flexible and creative, sometimes working in unfamiliar territory and without established processes or guidance to base decisions on.
•Be supported in the role by specialists within the team and wider organisation.
Examples of work that the post holder will be involved in are, the surface water permit review guidance, developing innovative permitting approaches and development of standard rule sets.
The Environment Agency will be keen to support you to develop your professional and personal skills to help you succeed and flourish in your career.
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.

You’ll join the Environment and Business, Water Regulation – Water Quality Permitting Strategy Team. We’re a national dispersed team who use evidence, engagement and innovation to support delivery, influence policy and secure resources for regulation of the water industry and wider water sector. We collaborate with National and Area teams, to deliver impactful regulatory permitting strategies.
In Environment and Business we promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued.

We’re looking for candidates with enthusiasm in supporting the development and delivery of programmes, initiatives, training and projects designed to improve regulation of the water industry and wider water sector.
You will have:
Technical expertise:
•A degree (or equivalent) in environmental science, water management, or related field.
•Strong knowledge of water quality legislation, policies and standards.
•Experience in water quality permitting, wastewater discharge regulation or environmental permitting.
Collaboration and communication:
•Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage with diverse stakeholders
•Enthusiasm and experience of working collaboratively and creatively to deliver innovation.
•An ability to effectively communicate and engage people - to motivate them to act and to resolve conflicts and challenges, both internally and externally
•Commitment to promoting diversity and fostering an inclusive workplace.
Project Management:
•Proven ability to manage complex projects and deliver results within deadlines.
•Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Personal Effectiveness:
•Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid.
We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market. We are committed to being an inclusive employer, ensuring equal opportunities.
Everyone is required to hold an Incident Management role, and appropriate training will be given.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post in the future.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams within three weeks of the closing date.
Any questions please contact Ben Bradford (ben.bradford@environment-agency.gov.uk).

In this role, you will need to gather information and evidence to make recommendations which may change at short notice

Describe a time when you had to adapt your plans to take into account new circumstances.
• What was the situation?
• How did you manage this?
• What impact did this have on productivity?
• What was the outcome?

Please use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when answering the questions. Your answer will be used for shortlisting and interview selection. Refer to the capability dictionary in the Candidate Pack for further guidance.

In this role, you will need to answer technical questions that come in about permitting and water regulation

Tell us about a time when you have had to co-ordinate information from a variety of sources in order to solve a difficult technical problem.
• What was your approach to collating this information?
• How did you analyse/sort it?
• How did it assist you in solving the problem?
• How did you deliver your response?

Please use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when answering the questions. Your answer will be used for shortlisting and interview selection. Refer to the capability dictionary in the Candidate Pack for further guidance.

In this role, you will need to achieve buy-in from others in the water sector to improve environmental outcomes.

Describe a time when you have successfully persuaded a key stakeholder round to your point of view.

Please use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when answering the questions. Your answer will be used for shortlisting and interview selection. Refer to the capability dictionary in the Candidate Pack for further guidance.

In this role, you will be required to understand and interpret legislation such as the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016

Describe a situation when you had to interpret or apply a regulation to achieve an outcome. How did you ensure compliance with the regulation?

Please use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when answering the questions. Your answer will be used for shortlisting and interview selection. Refer to the capability dictionary in the Candidate Pack for further guidance.