Geomorphology Technical Specialist

Locations: Leeds, Beverley or York/ Warrington/ Nottingham/ Brampton, Norwich or Ipswich/ Romsey/ Exeter or Bodmin

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. Our vision for geomorphology is a place where natural physical processes shape healthy, thriving catchments and coastlines, delivering lasting ecosystem benefits in a changing climate. To do this, we need your expertise and help.

We’re seeking experienced geomorphologists who know how to harness natural processes in order to reduce flood risk, protect and improve the environment, and increase resilience to climate change.

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 £43,198 per annum.
• A generous pension scheme of 19%.
• Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.
• 27 days holiday (increasing at 3 and 6 years of service up to a maximum of 30) + 8 bank holidays
• Two additional days for paid environmental outcomes giving you the opportunity to take part in community activities.
• Training and professional development time.
• Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme.

We have a flexible working policy for all employees, to support a healthy work-life balance within your working day. We will also consider flexibility in working patterns across the working week on a case-by-case basis.

What will you do:

You’ll be the geomorphology leader in an area-based team, working alongside biodiversity and fisheries staff, and liaising with a wide range of other teams (e.g. river and coastal maintenance, planning, permitting, flood risk). The work is faced paced, varied, and rewarding.

Your role will be to provide expert advice on natural physical processes, inputting to practical projects such as river restoration, Natural Flood Management, Environmental Land Management, and the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Capital programme.

You will also help to protect the environment through regulation by advising on permits, planning applications, and operational work, including site visits with colleagues and the public. 

This role is as much about people as it is about nature: you’ll need to be good at communicating geomorphological science to others, be that to colleagues, non-specialists or the public, in order to guide decisions that improve the environment and manage flood risk in ways that work with nature.

As a technical leader, you’ll deal with the more complex technical work, and you’ll get things done, managing priorities, and supporting strategic decisions in a fast-paced, agile environment. You will also coach and mentor other team members to increase their geomorphological knowledge.

What you’ll need:

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, e.g. geography or environmental science.
• As a geomorphology specialist, you’ll need a strong understanding of geomorphic processes and landforms, and proven experience of applying geomorphology in practice.
• In-depth knowledge of river, coastal, or estuarine geomorphology.

Desirable

• Knowledge of river and/or coastal flood risk, maintenance, and management techniques.
• Experience of applying geomorphology in a range of settings and within a relevant sector such as consultancy, government or environmental organisations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Hands-on experience with nature-based restoration and / or engineering projects.
• Knowledge and understanding of: Environmental permitting
• Local and national planning.
• Water Environment Regulations (especially hydromorphology).
• Skilled in problem-solving and influencing.
• Self-motivated, organised, and supports others through mentoring or coaching.
• Ability to prioritise, be flexible, and adapt in a fast-paced work environment.

We use public transport as much as we can, but for site visits you’ll often need to drive, so you will need a driving licence (or willingness to work towards a driving licence when you are in post).

You will also be warmly welcomed to the largest and perhaps the most vibrant community of geomorphologists in the country. By becoming part of this friendly, tight-knit group of professional peers, you’ll get excellent opportunities for networking, training and knowledge exchange to support your ongoing development.

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. Depending on the level of commitment, this may attract an additional payment. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

Additional Information

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 15.10pm - 16.10pm

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.

This role must be undertaken from within the UK and does NOT qualify for sponsorship. Visit the Government website and search for visas and immigration to seek professional advice regarding options for obtaining the right to work in the UK.

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.

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 on our careers site for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

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: 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. 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: 20th October 2025
Interview Dates: Week commencing 10th November and week commencing 17th November 2025