Hydrology Technical Officer - Birmingham, Lichfield, Fradley, Tewkesbury
About this role
Salary - £34,320 per annum
Staff Grade - 4
Locations - Birmingham, Lichfield, Fradley or Tewkesbury
Post Type / Working Pattern - Temporary - Fixed term to 29/05/2026 / 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 depend 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. As a water resources hydrologist, you'll have the opportunity to monitor and assess the water environment - playing a vital role in helping us achieve our goal working alongside other water resources specialists. To find out more then visit: Water Resources - Environment Agency.
We are a friendly and welcoming team of Hydrologists working across the Environment Agency West Midlands Area delivering work in Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and West Midlands.
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 £34,320 per annum.
- A generous pension scheme of 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: you can potentially progress to grades 5 and 6 in hydrology or use your hydrological knowledge in a wide range of management and related technical roles.
- An established structured training programme and professional development.
- Potential to further enhance your knowledge through an apprenticeship.
- Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme.
Options for flexible and/or part-time working may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Your role:
We're looking for a Hydrologist to join our busy Area Water Resources Hydrology team to help regulate, protect and enhance the water environment. In this technical role within the Hydrology profession you will collate, analyse and interpret hydrological information using best practice techniques to contribute to effective water resource management.
This is an early to mid-career role which will allow you to build on your existing experience and knowledge of how hydrological data and techniques are used in the Environment Agency as well as develop technical leadership skills.
What will you do:
You will work closely with your hydrology team members to provide professional advice and technical assessments on hydrological issues to customers and partners. Your work will inform decision making and contribute to protecting and improving the environment.
You will work closely with other team members to complete the following:
- Achieve our target for quality assuring river flow data.
- Monthly Water Situation Reports (monthly external customer report published on gov.uk).
- Hydrological monitoring reports (West Midlands focused report).
- Support the Area Drought Group with hydrological information including providing updates on river flows for dry weather incident response.
- Complete weekly compensation checks, making timely decisions regarding their operation and communicating those with our customers.
- Updating various data sets including rainfall and reservoir information.
- Assist with updates to the resource assessments carried out as part of the abstraction licensing strategies in the area.
- Monitor our team mailbox and provide customer responses to e-mails including request for information, licence applications and data requests.
You will be mainly office based but there will be occasional fieldwork, for example carrying out surveys and collecting data. You will gain a practical understanding of the rivers and catchments in our Area.
What you'll need:
Essential
- A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant environmental discipline. For example (but not limited to): Geography, Environmental Science, Ecology, Sustainability, Data Science, Geosciences, Engineering, Biology.
- Work experience in an operational water resources hydrology role, typically up to 3 years, or an equivalent, hydrology focussed, post-graduate qualification.
Desirable
- An interest in and an enthusiasm for hydrology, including an awareness of hydrological concepts (such as hydrology processes and catchment behaviour) and the different types of hydrological data (e.g. rainfall, river flow, groundwater level).
- Experience of analysing data and information to solve problems, including good numerical and computer literacy.
- Good written and spoken communication skills to convey information to a variety of audiences, including experience communicating technical information to a non-technical audience.
- Strong organisational skills, including the ability to plan, track and deliver your own work, meeting the required timescales and standards.
- A desire to learn new things and continually develop your skills and knowledge.
- Membership of BHS or CIWEM (or similar), possibly working towards chartership.
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. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role. This may attract an additional payment.
Additonal Information
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.
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 8th October 2025 at 15.10 - 16.10
Click here to register for the session
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, just click the apply button for further information
Closing date for applications: 20th October 2025
Interview Dates: Week commencing 10th November and week commencing 17th November 2025
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the UK's biggest environmental organisation and one of the largest employers of hydrologists. 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. Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration, to seek professional advice regarding options for obtaining the right to work in the UK.
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.
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Job details
Job reference: | EA/1412148 |
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Date posted: | 03-Oct-2025 |
Application close date: | 27-Oct-2025 |
Attachments: |
Candidate Pack - G4 Hydrology Officer.pdf (PDF, 693KB) |