Job Description

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 induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and passionate freshwater ecologist to join the Yorkshire Area Analysis and Reporting Team to help deliver our ecological monitoring programmes in terms of sampling, analysis and reporting.

The team investigates how water “quality” and “quantity”, and habitat and anthropogenic factors are impacting on ecological communities and communicate this information to a range of audiences. They do this by carrying out the following:

• laboratory freshwater macroinvertebrate analysis
• a variety of field work including macrophyte surveys, fish population surveys, river habitat surveys, taking freshwater invertebrate samples and the collection of continuous water quality data
• analysis, interpretation and reporting of data so we have a better understanding of the environment
• responding to pollution incidents to assess the impact on the environment
• and to assess and monitor changes in the environment to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive and inform future investment and projects to improve the environment.
  
  
  

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. This may attract an additional payment and full training will be available. Please see the candidate pack for information on how you will support with this.

The team

The Analysis and Reporting Team monitors and assesses the environment, providing a wide range of information on water quality, fish populations and ecological status to client teams across the Environment Agency and to external organisations.

This information is used to assess the status of our environment, to direct and inform our management actions, and to monitor the environmental response to our own and others activities.

Experience/skills Required

Ideally you will be educated to degree level in an ecological, environmental or related discipline and have experience of collecting and analysing data from the freshwater environment.

Desirable experience for this role would include:

• macroinvertebrate analysis to family and/or species level;
• freshwater macrophyte surveys;
• river habitat surveys;
• fish population surveys;
• experience of analysing and reporting ecological data.
  
  
  

Other key requirements for this job include good time management, excellent team working skills, good attention to detail, the ability to deliver against deadlines and excellent computer skills.

Contact and additional information

We do not accept CVs, therefore, your answers to the competencies will be used for selection. Please see the attached candidate pack for the competency dictionary and further information.

The office base location is: Environment Agency, Unit 21&22, Rose Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RX.

The role involves a combination of field, laboratory and office work. Field work will require you to travel throughout the whole of Yorkshire and a full UK driving license is desirable.

Interviews are expected to be scheduled for week commencing 26th May and will be in person.

Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] if you require further information about this role.

Competence 1

Scientific Knowledge

Description

Scientific knowledge: Please describe what experience you have in the field of freshwater ecology, which may include experience of undertaking ecological surveys; identifying freshwater invertebrate samples; using ecological indices or analysing ecological, habitat or water chemistry data.

Competence 2

Data and Information Management

Description

Data and Information Management: The team uses data it holds to inform management actions and assess impacts on the environment. It is essential that the data it holds is recorded accurately, extracted correctly and used appropriately.

Please share what experience you have of collecting and handling data and how you made sure it was accurate and used appropriately.

Competence 3

Achieves Results

Description

Achieves results: The team has to complete work by specific deadlines, sometimes at short notice, and the successful candidate must be able to contribute effectively to this. Flexibility and a willingness to re-prioritise work and support colleagues are essential.

Please outline what experience you have of delivering work to deadlines and how you have worked independently and/or with colleagues to achieve this.

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.