Environmental Planning - Water Quality/Resources 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.

The Integrated Environment Planning team in Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire is a centre of expertise for environment planning and decision making. We bring together a wide range of evidence to support the identification of environmental opportunities and to prioritise the delivery of functional environmental outcomes.

We are a friendly and diverse team spread across Water Resources and Water Quality. We work with other teams across Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire and with external partners to facilitate integrated action.

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.

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.

Your role:

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

What will you do:

Water Quality/Resources Planning Officers in our Integrated Environment Planning Teams drive improvements across the water sector from bathing waters to drought.

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

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.
• Supporting other teams and team members on Water Resources issues;
• Working with water companies, consultants and abstractor sector;
• Supporting on water resources tasks including permitting, dry weather incident management and strategic planning activities;
• Using data and innovative ways of presenting it to help steer delivery;
• Building and maintaining relationships with others to help achieve the best outcomes.

Within the Environment Agency, you will work with Area & 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/resources 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