Flood Defence Team Member - Bridgwater

About this role

Salary - £24,335 rising to £26,243 for Team Member Level 2C after 3 years subject to satisfactory performance 

Location - Bridgwater

Grade - Team Member Level 2A

Post Type/Working Pattern - Permanent, full-time role

Are you passionate about the outdoors and eager to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future? This is your chance to be part of a dynamic team working on the front line to combat the climate emergency and address environmental challenges like flooding, drought, and coastal changes.

This is an exciting time to join the UK's biggest environmental organisation with an ambition to be Carbon Net Zero by 2045 to 2050  and influence how we do things in the future . As part of the Environment Agency, you will play your part in protecting and improving the environment. We are working with government, local councils, businesses, civil society groups and communities to meet these challenges and at the same time make our environment a better place for people and wildlife.

Job Responsibilities:

• Operate, maintain and respond to flood and coastal risk management assets, ensuring their optimal performance in safeguarding communities.
• Tackle incidents and emergencies related to flooding and other environmental challenges, playing a vital role in our 24/7 standby roster. Your dedication will be compensated in addition to your basic pay.
• Contribute to initiatives, such as installing flood barriers, building sandbag walls, deploying high-volume pumps and providing assistance to affected communities during flood situations.
• Utilise a wide range of tools and equipment, including chainsaws, strimmers/bush cutters, heavy plant machinery, boats, and more. Your proficiency will be key to preventing and mitigating flood risks.
• Participate in various tasks such as structural maintenance, vegetation management, small construction projects, soft engineering methods, beach maintenance, and culvert and grille clearances.

Your work will be critical both to improve the environment and to protect local communities from flooding, and you will operate, maintain and respond to a range of assets, from a large flood relief channel and flood storage reservoirs to local flood defences. 

Your day-to-day duties will involve working in both urban and rural environments and will typically involve a mix of asset operation and response, asset maintenance, for example vegetation control and small construction tasks and incident response. You can expect to use a variety of tools and equipment as part of your role, this could be small hand and powers tools up to larger ride-on plant and tractors. Use of IT devices will also be required to track work tasks and communicate with team members.

Why choose us:

• Meaningful Impact: As an emergency responder , you'll be at the forefront of safeguarding communities and ecosystems. Your efforts will directly contribute to our ambitious goal of achieving Carbon Net Zero by 2045 to 2050 , leaving a lasting positive impact on the environment.
• Diverse and Exciting Role: Enjoy a diverse range of duties that involve structural maintenance, vegetation management, small construction projects, soft engineering, beach maintenance, and responding to flood incidents. Every day will be different and fulfilling.
• Training and Support: No prior experience? No problem! As a new Flood Defence Team Member you will be enrolled in to our Water Environment Worker Apprenticeship. The WEW Apprentice Programme delivers comprehensive training in the use of tools, equipment, and health & safety protocols, ensuring you have all the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in your role.
• Continuous Learning: Enhance your practical abilities and environmental awareness through hands-on work. We encourage and support further development, including specialist training when required.
• Team Environment: Work as part of a close-knit team of like-minded individuals who share your passion for the environment. Together, we make a real impact and create a better world for all.

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.

What you will need: 

• Ability to work in all weather conditions in a mix of urban and rural environments, as part of a dedicated team.
• A valid UK manual driving license. (Please note, should you be invited to an 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).
• Ability to travel to your base depot within 60 minutes in order to respond to incidents and meet urgent business needs. 

We're looking for people with:

• A passion for the outdoors and a genuine commitment to protecting the environment.
• Literacy and numeracy skills, along with a willingness to learn our in-house systems and use IT devices.
• Some understanding of site health and safety requirements, but full training will be provided.

Where you will work:

You will be expected to travel to your depot to check in daily, and then will be dispersed from there in smaller teams to carry out the field work tasks for that day within our geographical area. More on this and the shift patterns will be explained at the interview. 

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. Specifically, and where appropriate, we will support you to complete and achieve our Water Environment Worker apprenticeship.

What's more, you'll have access to our great benefits package including:

• Starting salary of £24,335
• A generous career average pension scheme
• Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay
• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees working a standard business hours pattern – our Flood Defence Team Members work non-standard business hours pattern, for example a 9-day fortnight so holiday entitlement will be adjusted accordingly
• Great career opportunities
• Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme
• This is a full-time role. There may be the option for a job share or working set days a week rather than full time, but full days will need to be worked 

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

 If you have any questions regarding the vacancy or application process, please contact the recruitment team at earecruitment@peoplescout.co.uk.

*Please note, job title will differ on appointment due to internal alignment.

Closing date for applications 10th June 2025

Interviews will be held w/c 30th June through to the end of w/c 14th July