Drainage & Asset Planning - Water Quality Lead - 29571

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. We are looking for an enthusiastic regulatory expert and innovator to lead the Environment Agency's contributions to transition the wastewater sector to one which proactively assesses, plans and invests to tackle challenges such as population growth, climate change and asset health seeking opportunities such as collaborative solutions. This is a national role where you will provide strategic, regulatory and technical leadership for our water quality function across the business for water industry wastewater and drainage planning. This includes our strategic leadership role in the Drainage and Wastewater/Sewerage Management Plans (DWMPs) process. The role extends beyond DWMPs as you will provide technical expertise and leadership, informing development of our wider regulatory tools to ensure water industry asset health provides the environmental outcomes we require. This is an exciting time as the DWMP process establishes itself as a statutory requirement. A significant proportion of your role will be working together with a Flood Risk colleague, in a virtual team to steer future policy and regulation alongside Defra and Ofwat, overseeing the DWMP process. You will work internally with geographically focused teams, senior leadership and other programme leads; for example, teams managing the WINEP. You will provide these teams with strategy regulatory/ technical innovation to shape ways of working. In E&B we promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We use evidence, expertise, and innovation to enhance and support delivery, influence policy, legislation and secure resources. The team This post is part of the Water Quality Regulatory Development team in E&B Water Industry Regulation where we engage collectively with water and sewerage companies, Defra and Ofwat and others. The team is dispersed throughout the country. The successful candidate must be able to work on their own initiative while maintaining effective communication with the team and internal/external customers., Develops, delivers and implements strategic plans for the sustainable use, protection and improvement of our environment. Understands current and future environmental pressures. Produces plans. Engages partners. Ensures delivery., More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack. Uses variety of methods, including direct instruction, coaching and feedback skills to help others to develop. Provide an example(s) where you successfully enhanced the capability of a group of people within your or other's organisation or a professional community. How did you go about this and how did you know whether you were successful? Competence 3 Shapes organisational approach & delivery, More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack. Informs Government Policy and / or designs, implements and supports an approach to translate it into cost-effective operational activity delivering outcomes for people and the environment Provide an example where you shaped approaches at a regional or national scale through accommodating technical, political, environmental and deliverability risks. How did you keep all stakeholders on board and assess success?, More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack. Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures. Provide an example of how you have engaged with others to deliver a successful environmental or regulatory outcome. What strategies did you use and did you adapt your approach. 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.

A relevant degree is expected as is demonstration of continued professional development. You will have knowledge of the Environment Agency, our regulatory role and influence over Water and Sewerage Company investment and performance. Experience and technical expertise at the interface between environmental planning and Water and Sewerage Company business/regulation is essential and you will have experience in strategy and policy development. You will be able to make sense of complex data/information demonstrated through problem solving/decision making. Excellent verbal and written communication and influencing skills are key, you will need to develop collaborative relationships and have experience of embedding new approaches into the business/sector. In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your:

• ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work
  
  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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.