City/Town
All
Region
National
Vacancies
1
Salary Minimum
£54,940 Pro-rata
Post Type
Fixed Term
Job ID
33387
Closing date
20 Apr 2026
Published date
29 Mar 2026
Grade
Staff Grade 6
Role type
Analytical
Security check
Basic Check
Job description
Are you passionate about the marine environment? Would you like to work with experts in marine water quality and water industry regulation? Can you use your initiative to solve problems and work collaboratively to achieve results?
Our ambition is that by 2050, waters from catchment to coast are cleaner and thriving. We need a Marine Water Quality Officer to help make this happen.
You’ll join the Marine team in Operations Catchment Services, applying technical expertise in marine environments, modelling, and data analysis to support evidence-based decisions.
We assess the impact of discharges on water quality across key areas, including Nuclear New Build, major infrastructure projects, and the Water Industry National Environment Programme. We also model bathing water quality and nutrient loads in estuaries.
As a Senior Specialist within the Marine Water Quality team you will have a strategic overview of the team’s tidal water;
- permitting and planning work,
- nutrients work including use of the combined phytoplankton and macroalgae (CPM) model
This assignment is a fantastic opportunity to work with the team leader and peers to ensure that;
- marine nutrients work is adequately resourced – now and looking ahead to PR29
- use of CPM is understood and embedded in the team
- our marine water quality permitting and planning work is delivered to time, cost and quality standards
- relationships are built and maintained with key internal and external customers working on nutrients as part of the price review process
There is a possibility that this post may include line management responsibilities in the future.
As a strategic technical lead within the marine water quality team you will need to demonstrate:
- expertise in water quality planning and modelling in the marine environment.
- a sound knowledge of nutrients related regulations, and an understanding of the water industry and the price review process.
- an ability to comprehend the technical aspects of work requests from our customers so that the work can be matched to the skills and experience of the team.
- ability to advise the team leader on technical resourcing issues
- you can explain technically complex work to a non-technical audience.
- qualifications to at least degree standard (or equivalent) in an environmental discipline
Desirable
- previous line management experience
We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel some travel and overnights may be required.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact [email protected].
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
Feedback is generally not available at sift stage
QUESTION HERE:
Describe a time when you have had to use a marine nutrients model to assist decision making.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION HERE: Describe a time you led a team to deliver a complex piece of work through others, with changing resources and priorities.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION HERE:
Please give an example of using your negotiation and persuasion skills with a group of stakeholders holding conflicting priorities to achieve the environmental outcome you wanted.
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 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.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.