Environmental Planning – Water Quality Officer

About Us

The Environment Agency has a broad and varied remit to protect and enhance the environment,
with a goal to create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for people and wildlife. Water
is at the heart of all we do, drinking, washing, recreation, industry and health, our
environment and economy depends on this precious resource. Clean and available water is
essential and as water becomes an increasingly scarce resource, we need to do more to ensure we
protect it.

Water companies must invest billions of pounds over the next five years to protect the
environment from pollution. This scale of investment has not been seen for more than a
generation. We need your knowledge and experience to help us advise water companies on their
plans and hold them to account for their protection of the water environment. Come be a part of
the teams that ensure our environment is protected now and for future generations.

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:

• A salary up to £33,000.
• A generous pension scheme of up to 19%.
• Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.
• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees.
• Two additional days for paid environmental outcomes giving you the opportunity to take part
  in community activities.
• Great career opportunities.
• Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme.
• Options for hybrid, flexible and / or part-time working.

Your role:

We are looking for Water Quality Planning Officers who will support local water quality
improvement through working with our water quality planning priorities. You will be part of a
team of local Area Water quality planners and join an existing network of dedicated water
quality planners who sit in teams across the country.

What will you do:

Water Quality Planning Officers in our Integrated Environment Planning Teams drive improvements
in local rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

You will provide technical support on a range of water quality workstreams and support the team
in its planning of projects to improve water quality.

The workstreams may include:

• Delivery of the Water Industry National Environment Programme on the Price Review process
  with the water company.
• Environment Agency activities, such as permitting of discharges and planning applications.
• Responding to requests for information from the public, MPs and others.
• Planning of Protected Areas improvements, including bathing waters, shellfish waters and
  drinking waters.
• Within the Environment Agency, you will work with National colleagues, who provide
  guidance, and technical support. You will also work with other local Area Teams with specialist
  knowledge in different aspects of the local environment, and environmental regulations.

We are seeking a positive and motivated self-starter, with a willingness to learn and the
ability to work alongside others. Your support will be key to delivering a wealth of positive
environment outcomes across each area.

What you’ll need: 

Essential

• Degree / Equivalent qualification in a relevant environmental discipline – for example, but
  not limited to – Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Engineering, GeoScience, Ecology, Environmental
  science, Sustainability, Data science and analytics; OR relevant professional experience
  working in the environmental sector.

Desirable

• Ability to analyse technical information
• Good organisational skills/discipline and the ability to plan, track, deliver and evaluate
  work, meeting relevant standards and timescales
• The ability to work collaboratively with others and influence workstreams to ensure water
  quality outcomes are secured
• Confidence to manage competing workloads and deliver tasks to deadlines
• Ability to effectively work in a dispersed team

Additional Information

Please note that a reserve list will be held for up to 12 months, and you may be offered other
roles in other locations including temporary roles, which may be similarly aligned to this
role.

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

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.

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.

This role must be undertaken from within the UK and does NOT qualify for sponsorship.To seek
professional advice please visit the UK Government website regarding visas and immigration for
obtaining the right to work in the UK.

Please note: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at
least five days in advance. Please check both your inbox and junk mail folders to ensure you
don’t miss our message.

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. Please see our candidate guidance
for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Closing date for applications: Monday 22nd September 2025
Interview Dates: w/c 13th and 20th October 2025