Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to become a central part in innovative water supply options.
Across the country, water companies are developing innovative solutions for providing public water supply. In Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly, water has historically been sourced from rivers, lakes and groundwaters. However, due to an increased risk to our water supply related to climate change and rising customer demand, additional water sources are required. We are looking for a Project Manager to manage the Environment Agency\'s input to the development, permitting and implementation of the use of sea water, through desalination plants as sources of supply.

This will be an important piece of work, and a unique licensing and permitting determination process. It will involve cross discipline working, multiple regulatory bodies, and a challenging timeframe, and will lead to development of nationally relevant guidance for future desalination options for water supply.

The desalination proposals are being progressed imminently and as the Project Manager you will lead this challenging, important and novel piece of work, to ensure we deliver our role effectively. This will require working across multiple Environment Agency regulatory regimes (water resources, water quality, waste and installations) and with other regulatory bodies, including Natural England, the local planning authorities and Marine Management Organisation. Effective public communication will also be crucial, as we expect there to be significant public and media interest in this work, so a key outcome is the proactive development and delivery of a communications plan.
In addition, this is an opportunity to learn, share knowledge, and develop guidance ensuring we approach these novel abstraction schemes in a nationally consistent way now and in the future.

The team

You will be part of the Integrated Environment Planning (Water Resources) team which is a dynamic, supportive and fun team who are fully committed to improving the water environment. You will also be working closely with technical specialists in other teams who are responsible for water quality, groundwater, ecology and permitting through a \'virtual team\' approach.

We support flexible working to provide a positive work life balance.

Experience/skills required

You will have a passion for the environment and committed to supporting the Environment Agency in protecting and improving the environment.

The post holder will have demonstrable experience of:
- Project or programme management knowledge and experience and enthusiasm to develop further.
- Leading the coordination and delivery of multidisciplinary programmes of work
- Delivering results through others to time, budget and quality.
- Using initiative to prioritise complex workloads, to tight deadlines
- Working effectively with technical leaders to deliver complex work.
- Leading communication planning and delivery, and initiatives to capture and share learning.

Desirable criteria:
-Experience in water resources and permitting / regulation.
- Chartered membership of a relevant professional body.

Contact and additional information

We\'re committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve, so welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds.

More information about working for us and how to apply please read the Candidate Pack and Additional Information Pack.

For an informal chat contact Alison Clode (alison.clode@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Stephen Russell (stephen.russell@environment-agency.gov.uk)

Applications will be \xe2\x80\x9cblind\xe2\x80\x9d assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held using MS Teams towards the end of September 2023.

If you consent to be recruited onto a reserve list, we\'ll hold your details for 6 months and we may offer you an alternative post.

Job description attachment 1

Candidate pack

Closing Date:

20/09/2023, 23:55 hours

Level of security checks required

Basic Check

Length of contract

Up to 30/05/2024

Competence 1

Programme and Project Management

Description

Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively.

Please describe how you have planned and managed a project, programme, or piece of work to make sure you delivered on time, to budget and to the expected standards and benefits.

Competence 2

Delivers Results Through Others

Description

Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.

Please outline an achievement you are proud of where you had to co-ordinate and work with others to solve a complex issue and still meet a deadline.

Competence 3

Communicates Effectively

Description

Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Please describe an example of when you communicated effectively and how you improved the impact of that event.

Competence 4

Achieves Results

Description

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates pro-activeness and the drive to meet targets.

Please describe a situation where you have used your initiative, going beyond what was asked to provide extra benefits or results.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.

Environment Agency