29721 - WQ Innovative Permitting Planning Specialist

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive introduction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.

We're looking for a water quality planner to work in the Innovative Permitting team in Operations Catchment Services (OCS).

The OCS Water Quality Innovative Permitting Team are a team of technical experts. We work closely with area colleagues in relation to the development of innovative catchment and nature-based solutions (NbS).

The knowledge and advice the team provide will shape stakeholder agendas to ensure that plans are in place for a high-quality water environment now and into the future. You will be working alongside the senior water quality planner and closely with colleagues across the business and within the water industry.

You must have sound knowledge of water quality planning, including modelling and regulation, and knowledge of the water industry and the price review process. You will help colleagues across the Environment Agency, to find solutions that protect and enhance water quality.

Responding to incidents is an important part of what we do in the Environment Agency. 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 workplace adjustments will be available to help you with your incident role.

The team

You will be working closely with the senior planning specialist, business partners and the guidance specialists within a dispersed national team. Innovative Permitting is part of the OCS water quality team. As a relatively new team you will help shape its work and embed it in the wider team culture. We take a one business approach, working with colleagues across the whole organisation both in national and area teams.

You will assess and model new approaches to regulation in response to emerging environmental, water quality and legislative challenges. You will be flexible and ready to contribute to solving these. This requires you to be comfortable working in unfamiliar territory collaborating with policy and guidance colleagues on new approaches.

You will be mathematically competent. You need experience in general water quality modelling using models like SAGIS, Farmscoper and RQP. You will have a particular focus on wastewater discharge permitting. You will seek opportunities to promote nature-based solutions that improve water quality and obtain other wider benefits. You also bring knowledge of the price review and regulation processes to the role. We welcome applicants with experience of SIMCAT and SAGIS modelling.

You have experience in working in a dispersed team. You will be expected to travel for national meetings with occasional overnight stays.