Environmental Planning - Water Quality Specialist

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'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 of up to 19%.
• 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 hybrid, flexible and / or part-time working.

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 /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 substantial relevant professional experience.
• 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.
• A technical background in water quality and an understanding of current pressures facing the water environment and the solutions that can overcome these problems.

Desirable

• 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).

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.

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
Interview Dates: w/c 13th and 20th October 2025