We are the Environment Agency. We work with government, local councils, businesses, and communities to make our environment cleaner, safer, and healthier for people and wildlife. We tackle the effects and causes of climate change, perhaps the most serious long-term threat to the environment that we face.
Using your technical biodiversity experience and influencing skills you will help us protect and enhance the diverse habitats and wildlife of Kent and South London, to ensure development is sustainable and to deliver landscape-scale environmental outcomes. You will work to integrate benefits for wildlife and people into innovative flood risk management solutions.
Additionally, you will:
• Screen and advise on Environment Agency programmes, plans, and projects for biodiversity impacts to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
• Identify opportunities to deliver multiple benefits, Natural Flood Management and working with natural processes, through river basin management and flood risk management planning and delivery
• Proactively integrate biodiversity enhancements into Environment Agency plans and strategies
• Provide advice on high-risk Environment Agency permits and consents, and licences and planning applications to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystems are protected and, where relevant, enhanced
We have 3 roles, one based in Addington covering the River Medway, one in Canterbury covering the River Stour and one in Rye covering the River Rother.
The team
You will be part of our passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology Team covering Kent, South London & East Sussex.
A major focus of the team is inputting into Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management capital schemes, maintenance of assets, water company environmental programmes, and partnership working to deliver priority habitat creation, Water Framework Directive mitigation measures, river restoration projects and planning advice.
Experience/skills required
• You will have well-developed communication skills, great customer focus, and have the confidence to build effective relationships with external partners and internal teams.
• Good knowledge of biodiversity, water dependent habitats and species and their ecological requirements
• Educated to degree level in an appropriate environmental discipline, or equivalent practical work experience
• Knowledge and understanding of the Water Framework Directive and other environmental legislation
• Awareness of natural capital and the ecosystems approach
• A proven track record of on-the-ground delivery and of working effectively with others.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines and focus on priorities and the delivery of outcomes
You’ll have a positive approach, a desire to work collaboratively and be dedicated to your personal and professional development.
Contact and additional information
We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and value a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, welcoming flexible working patterns for our roles, including job share, so please include information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
You will be welcomed and supported by the team and given all the training and guidance needed to succeed.
We offer an extensive range of employee benefits details of which can be found in the candidate pack
APPLICATION HERE.
If you would like to know more, we would be delighted to hear from you, please contact Alice Pinfold – alice.pinfold@environment-agency.gov.uk
on 020 8474 6674
Interviews will be held in late November/early December.
