Environmental Planning: Water Quality Specialist - Reading, Wallingford

About this role

Salary - £41,617

Staff Grade - 5

Locations - Reading, Wallingford

Post Type / Working Pattern - Permanent / Full Time
  

 

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 will you do:

We are looking for Water Quality Specialists in our Area Integrated Environment Planning Teams in a variety of roles. These water planning teams drive improvements in local rivers, lakes and coastal waters. You will work on a variety of aspects of water quality planning to understand the pressures, find solutions, and work with those who can deliver change.  

Given the scale of future investment by water companies in England, and the record number of improvements required by the Environment Act, many of these roles will be dedicated to reviewing and shaping water company proposals. For this, you will work closely with the local Water Company, reviewing the data and information they provide. You will need to communicate with them and be able to influence them to go further against competing priorities.

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.  

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 and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

What you'll need:

You will need to be skilled at reviewing data and information and communicating requirements clearly to ensure proposals meet the latest environmental standards and provide the maximum environmental benefit.

Essential   

• Degree in a relevant environmental discipline – for example, but not limited to – Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Engineering, GeoScience, Ecology, Environmental science, Sustainability, Data science and analytics.
• Work experience in a relevant environmental discipline – for example, but not limited to - work for Water companies, Environmental or Engineering consultancy, work in a regulatory role (Government, Public Bodies and Agencies), research and education, Environmental charities.

Desirable    

• A technical background in water quality and understanding of the current pressures facing the water environment and the solutions that can overcome these problems.
• Ability to analyse technical information.
• Experience of presenting technical information to a wide audience. 
• Good organisational skills/discipline and the ability to plan, track, deliver and evaluate work, meeting relevant standards and timescales.
• Effective influencing skills and ability to persuade external partners.
• Experience working with water companies and having knowledge of their operations.
• Membership of, or working towards a membership of, a relevant professional institute (e.g. CIWEM/IEMA).

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 £41,617
• A generous pension scheme
• Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay
• 27 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 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 you have any questions regarding the vacancy or application process, please contact the recruitment team at earecruitment@peoplescout.co.uk.

To learn more about these roles from those already in them, gain insight into the recruitment process, and have the chance to ask your questions, join us for our candidate call on: 

Wednesday 18th June at 15:00

This will be held on Microsoft Teams and is open to all applicants. You do not need to have submitted an application to join the call.

[Click here to register for the session]

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

Closing date for applications: Monday 23rd June 2025

Interview Dates: w/c 14th and 21st July 2025