Senior Heritage Specialist - NEAS - 29453

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies.

We are looking for a Senior Archaeologist to join our National Environmental Assessment Service team (NEAS).

You will support delivery of the Environment Agency's Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management programme by providing specialist heritage advice to diverse project teams collaborating on strategies, plans and projects which may have a significant impact to the interests and use values of heritage assets affected by the flood management options.

You will provide assurance on compliance with environmental legislation, including the Environment Act 1995, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and conformance with Government and Environment Agency plans, policies and strategies relating to heritage.

You will liaise with Historic England on behalf of the project team to support the consenting process for works affecting designated heritage sites.

You will proactively build, maintain and advocate positive working relationships with Local Authorities and Councils regarding heritage management.

You will contribute directly towards project delivery by:

• Providing expert heritage advice from project inception to completion.


• Overseeing technical quality of heritage work to ensure that it meets national standards.


• Influencing the selection and development of sustainable scheme options and contributing to the delivery of positive socio-environmental outcomes


• Leading engagement with heritage stakeholders and develop strong working relationships with external partners and consultees


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 with your incident role.

The team

You will be a member of a dispersed NEAS team comprised of colleagues with professional backgrounds in archaeology and heritage, ecology, environmental assessment, sustainability, carbon and landscape design.

Meet the NEAS team in our virtual session on Thursday 5 September 2024 from 11.00am to 12.00pm so you can learn more about the role and why we choose to work in NEAS. We would love to help answer your queries before you apply!, We are fully committed to having an 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., Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Question: Describe a time when your direct involvement in a multi-stakeholder project/process was instrumental in achieving the desired outcome.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question., Description: Appreciates the impact that activities have on the environment and identifies ways to protect and preserve the environment for the future and limit negative environmental impact, Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results, Description: Applies a knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.

Question: Please describe an example of when you used legislation as the underpinning argument to clarify the extent of a heritage risk(s) within a multi-stakeholder team.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

Role specific license requirements

Full Driving Licence - desirable but not essential

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.

Essential criteria:

Educated to a degree standard or equivalent

Excellent communication skills in person, virtually and in writing

Excellent influencing skills with both internal and external stakeholders

Experience of delivering collaboratively through partnerships

Desirable criteria:

Flood, coastal risk management and water resource management experience

Chartered Member of the Institute for Archaeologists or equivalent professional institute

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.