Water Company Liaison Officer - 29461

Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? The Environment Agency is the organisation for you! We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share. This is your chance to join us and help to influence and improve the environmental performance of water companies. We are looking for individuals with a good understanding of the industry and how it impacts the environment to join our national Operations Catchment Services department and be at the heart of our liaison with water companies. Our teams are responsible for driving national operational work with water companies, keeping a comprehensive overview of their environmental performance across all activities and strategic plans to influence improvements and future investment at a senior level. Our vacancy is based in the North East Team leading on liaison with Yorkshire Water. We work with water companies and local and national EA policy teams, to regulate and report on water company performance. We influence water company future plans through the Ofwat price review process and specific plans such as water resources management plans, drainage and wastewater management plans and pollution incident reduction plans. You will:

• Work as part of a larger virtual team to influence and improve water company performance and investment
• Track water company delivery, including the Water Industry National Environment Programme
• Report water company performance
• Support development of policy and environmental objectives
Responding to incidents is central to what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and support our incident response. This may attract an additional payment and full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you., We have five water company facing teams across the country working with key customers and stakeholders involved in water planning and performance. These teams are part of the Operations Catchment Services, a national-once department which uses evidence, expertise, and innovation to drive performance and influence future investment. The North East Team is looking for an officer to support our liaison with Yorkshire Water., PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing. Whilst working with an external partner or customer, please describe how you have tailored your communication style to meet the requirements of a specific individual or situation., PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results. Describe how you prioritise and manage your workload to ensure delivery when you have multiple competing demands. Competence 4 Business knowledge and communication environment, PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. Working with water companies and driving improvements in performance Describe your experience and skills of the regulatory and planning framework for the water industry. Explain what you see as your key skill for this role 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 are looking for candidates with either a degree in an environmental discipline, or equivalent relevant experience. You will need to be highly organised with skills in environmental planning and regulation. You must build strong working relationships with colleagues, customers and stakeholders. Through experience to date you should be able to demonstrate the following:
• Knowledge and practical experience of water company regulation and/or planning
• Strong written and spoken communication skills
• Influencing skills to help persuade internal and external partners
• Highly organised and able to manage complex activities
• Ability to influence across a range of senior managers
• Ability to manage and present data and information effectively
• Knowledge of the environmental pressures impacting on the water environment
You'll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided., We offer an extensive range of employee benefits and the opportunity to progress your career with us via professional training routes such as apprenticeships and degree programmes. Working in a national dispersed service your base location is flexible within North England and you will need to be comfortable working virtually via MS teams with a mix of home and office working. Some travel and overnight stays may be required.

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.