Permitting Officers (Grade 4)

Permitting Officers
Permanent, Full Time, Part Time/Job Share/Term Time
Staff Grade: 4

About Us:

Join our dedicated team within the Permitting Service (PS) as we work to determine the
necessary environmental permits for activities that have the potential environmental impact
such as flooding, drought, sea level rise and coastal change. We are focussed on improving and
protecting the quality of our air, land and water by tackling pollution. We work with
businesses to help them comply with environmental regulations and believe a healthy and diverse
environment enhances people’s lives and contributes to sustainable and resilient economic
growth.

What will you do:

As a flood risk activity Permitting Officer, you will play a vital role in protecting the
environment and supporting the work of the Environment Agency (EA). You will be responsible for
assessing applications for a range of flood risk activities across the country, from minor
construction in and around rivers, to nationally significant flood management projects. You’ll
conduct regulatory obligations and conduct technical assessments and the permits you deliver
will help to ensure the environment and local communities are safeguarded.

Passionate about the environment and regulating potentially damaging activities, you’ll share
that passion, knowledge and experience in supporting and help to develop a team of Permitting
Officers whether that be in the field or working from the office. You’ll be supported by a
Senior Permitting Officer and wider network of equally passionate individuals and teams. 

Why choose us:

1. Impactful Work: By joining the Environment Agency (EA), you become part of a collective
   effort to protect and improve the environment in England. Our work addresses national-level
   issues, ranging from industry regulation to flood defences, land contamination, water quality,
   fisheries, and conservation. As a flood risk activity permitting officer, you will play a
   crucial role in safeguarding the environment by assessing applications for a wide range of
   flood risk activities. Your work directly contributes to creating a more sustainable and safer
   environment by supporting growth and enabling people to go about their business.
2. Team Environment: The EA’s diverse scope of work necessitates a multi-skilled workforce.
   Working with us means being part of a team that promotes sustainable growth, tackles climate
   change, and secures a better future for everyone. As a permitting officer, you will collaborate
   with professionals from various disciplines and engage with permit applicants, ranging from
   multinational companies to individual householders. This collaboration and interaction allows
   for a rich and diverse working environment, fostering personal and professional growth.
3. Varied and Impactful Responsibilities: As a flood risk activity permitting officer, you
   will experience highly varied and challenging work that is essential to protection of people,
   wildlife and the natural environment. You will assess applications for environmental permits,
   ensuring compliance with EA processes and regulatory obligations. You will manage a caseload of
   permit applications for a range of flood risk activities and make informed decisions that
   directly impact flood risk and environmental management. This role offers continuous learning
   opportunities and the chance to deepen your expertise in environmental permitting.
4. Creating a Safer Environment: The work of permitting officers at the EA plays a key role in
   creating a more sustainable and safer environment. By assessing applications for environmental
   permits, you actively contribute to the protection of local communities and natural resources.
   Additionally, you will develop relationships with a wide range of partners and support vital
   functions, such as flooding and environmental response. This holistic approach ensures that our
   work extends beyond permitting, enabling comprehensive environmental management.
5. Incident Response: 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 will be given, alternative working arrangements will be available
   to support you with your incident role. there are a range of incident roles available to
   support varied working patterns and in line with our flexible working policy.

What do you need:

You will work with a team of Permitting Officers based in Sheffield, Bristol and Warrington who
currently work flexibly between the office and home. You will need to be comfortable working
within both a physical and virtual team environment, be flexible and able to travel to work
with your team in person in either Sheffield Bristol and Warrington for training and meetings.
You will possess excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships
with customers. This will involve balancing the needs of the customer and the environment.

Essential

1. Experience with coaching and mentoring.
2. Exhibit proficiency in IT skills with tools such as Word, Excel, and job-specific digital
   platforms.
3. Experience working with data/information management, including data analysis of complex
   technical data and tailor it to different audiences.
4. GCSE English Grade A-C or equivalent.
5. Experience working effectively with customers.

Desirable:

1. An understanding of regulatory activities undertaken by the Environment Agency
2. Experience of environmental permitting regulations
3. An understanding of flood risk management data

Whilst prior experience in environment permitting is not essential, an understanding of the
regulatory activities undertaken by the Environment Agency and an understanding of flood risk
management data with some experience or interest in the environment and regulation is
preferred. What we value most is a passion for the environment and a strong desire to protect
it by regulating harmful activities.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll benefit from a culture that embraces difference and includes everyone, 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 competitive salary of £33,000 pro rata.
2. 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
3. Company pension scheme
4. Great career opportunities
5. Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme
6. A range of flexible working options, plus many more!

All locations offer hybrid working with a minimum of 20% office-based
working, full training will be given. These training sessions will be
conducted in your base location.

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. We also
welcome applications for part-time hours. 

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.

Please be advised this role does not currently meet the eligibility criteria
for Visa sponsorship.

Closing date for applications Monday 24th March
2025.

Interviews will be taking place week commencing
7th April 2025.