Environment Officer (Land & Water)

£27,749 + London Weighting Allowance of £2,117 where applicable leading to £33,000
after approximately 18 months

York, Darlington, Newcastle, Penrith, Preston, Wallingford, Reading, Welwyn Garden
City, London SE2 (Abbey Wood) Canterbury, Maidstone, Colchester, Huntingdon, Ely, Ipswich,
Shrewsbury, Tewkesbury

Staff Grade: EOA

About Us:

The Environment Agency works to create better places for people and wildlife, and
supports sustainable development.

Being an Environment Officer is one of the most important roles at the Environment Agency.
Environment Officers regulate everything from what is discharged into our rivers, to operators
of waste management facilities, farms and other land management activities across a range of
urban and rural sites, all of which may impact on the local environment. In this
role, you will regulate activities relating to both water quantity and
quality.

 Why Choose Us:

1. Make a Significant Impact: At the EA (Environment Agency) your work has the power to create
   a lasting impact. Our work addresses national level issues and regulation of the Water
   Industry/Companies comes right at the top of our list. The EA plays a lead role in preserving
   and protecting precious ecosystems and everything else associated with water use through
   effective regulation. Your contributions directly protect and enhance the environment, ensuring
   a brighter future for all.
2. Dynamic and Rewarding: Join a team that thrives on tackling national challenges head-on. At
   the EA, you’ll be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment, working alongside passionate
   professionals who share your commitment to making a difference.
3. Focus on Results: Our work goes beyond rhetoric, as we deliver tangible results. From
   successfully implementing industry regulations to restoring polluted water bodies, the EA has a
   track record of achieving meaningful outcomes that positively impact both people and the
   planet.
4. Continuous Growth: Your professional development matters to us. We provide a range of
   opportunities for growth, including tailored training programs, mentorship initiatives, and
   access to cutting-edge technologies. At the EA, you’ll continuously grow your skills and
   expertise, staying at the forefront of environmental innovation.
5. Join a Values-Driven Organisation: Ethical and values-driven, the EA upholds integrity,
   transparency, and environmental stewardship. By joining us, you align yourself with an
   organisation that holds itself accountable and genuinely cares about creating a sustainable and
   resilient future.
6. Collaborative Community: At the EA, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.
   You’ll work with diverse teams, bringing together experts from various fields to tackle complex
   environmental challenges. Together, we foster a supportive and inclusive community that
   encourages collaboration, creativity, and knowledge exchange.

What will you do:

Based in one of our area offices as an Environment Officer – Land & Water
you will join one of our customer-facing frontline teams working directly to help create a
cleaner, safer and healthier environment.

You will be responsible for regulating activities that could affect the quality of water or the
quantity of water in the environment. Land & Water teams are busy and get involved with a
wide range of regulation activities, these include regulating:

1. Water companies who may hold a range of permits related to their activities, to ensure they
   are carried out without polluting the environment or causing harm to people.
2. Agricultural premises ranging from small family farms, larger scale farm holdings and
   intensive agricultural permits that produce pigs and poultry.
3. Abstraction licences which permit the holder to take amounts of water out of watercourse
   and groundwater for certain uses including the watering of crops, cooling systems and drinking
   water.

As a regulator you will be expected to plan and deliver the necessary compliance activities
against such permits, this may also require enforcement-action where the operator fails to
comply with the relevant legislation, which for the most serious offences can require giving
evidence in court. This role offers continuous learning opportunities and the chance to deepen
your expertise in environmental regulation.

You will also:

1. Work collaboratively within a team, receiving backup from colleagues and incident support
   staff
2. Using your excellent customer service skills to engage with local business, communities,
   operators and customers that are passionate about their environment.
3. Enforce the diverse environmental regulations that Land & Water EO’s regulate and
   ensure the environment is protected for the future.
4. Work with colleagues from other teams to ensure a local perspective is provided to proposed
   development.
5. Travel frequently and sometimes unexpectedly to various sites to conduct inspections and
   take action if environmental regulations have been breached.

Training & Development

You’ll enter the role on a EOA grade and follow a structured development programme to reach EOB
grade. This is expected to take up to 18 months and is awarded after demonstrating the required
capabilities. In the initial months, some of the training is residential, around 3-5
days at a time for at least 3 weeks. (Travel and overnight stays are required to allow you to
complete this training).

Training includes:

1. Residential and e-learning courses.
2. Fieldwork shadowing experienced officers.
3. Health and safety training.
4. Learning to use EA systems.

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 could include working out of normal working hours
e.g. at night or weekends. This may attract an additional payment, and full training will be
available to support you with your incident role. 

What do you need:

Essential:

1. Full UK Driving Licence. (Please note, should you be invited to interview we will contact
   you to conduct a DVLA driving licence check. More information on this process will be provided
   to you should you reach this stage of the recruitment process)
2. GCSE Grade A-C or equivalent in Science-related subject or have equivalent work experience
3. Experience of working with customers.

Ideally you will have previous regulatory experience and/or scientific background, but if this
is your first role or a career change, we would expect you to draw upon previous scientific
knowledge while going through relevant training. The most important thing we are looking for is
a passion for environmental improvement and resilience to succeed.

What’s in it for you:

You’ll benefit from a culture that embraces difference and is inclusive where you’ll feel
supported and trusted to do the right thing. We’ll invest in you and allow you to grow and
shape your career. What’s more, you’ll have access to our great benefits package including:

1. A salary up to £27,749 + London Weighting Allowance of £2,117 where applicable at Induction
   Stage, rising to £33,000 after completion of approx. 18-months training.
2. A generous pension scheme.
3. Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.
4. 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees.
5. Two additional days for paid environmental outcomes giving you the opportunity to take part
   in community activities.
6. Great career opportunities.
7. Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme.

Options for flexible and / or part-time working may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve. To achieve this, we welcome
applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Click apply and start your application
today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the UK’s biggest environmental organisation. Join us,
and together, let’s tackle the challenges of a changing climate and build a more sustainable
future. Apply now and embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career journey with the Environment
Agency.

Closing date for applications is 24th February 2025.

Interview Dates: w/c 17th March to 4th April 2025.