32309 - Catchment Planning Specialist

Environment Agency; Exeter; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A public environmental agency in Exeter is seeking a Catchment Planning Specialist to enhance water quality in Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly. The ideal candidate will implement catchment plans and work collaboratively to tackle nutrient pollution. This role requires strong analytical and communication skills, along with experience in environmental planning. Join us in making a significant impact on our water environments.

Qualifications

• Experience making or implementing plans to improve the water environment.
• Ability to analyze evidence and propose evidence-based solutions.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently or within teams.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze monitoring data on nutrient challenges.
• Collaborate with partners to develop evidence for protecting water environments.
• Influence strategies to improve catchments and nutrient management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication abilities

Influencing skills

Job description

Overview

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. Are you passionate about the water environment in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly? Do you have an interest in improving the water quality in our rivers? We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and motivated to take on this critical role as a Catchment Planning Specialist focusing in particular on reducing nutrient inputs in some of our most highly protected environments. The role will involve implementing and updating catchment plans and the recently completed Diffuse Water Pollution Plans, which set the path to reduce excessive nutrients and improve water quality. You will use your environmental knowledge, data management skills and communication abilities to work across multiple disciplines to make a real difference in improving water quality. This will include:

Responsibilities

• Bringing together monitoring data, modelling, and other evidence on nutrient challenges in key river catchments.
• Working with internal and external partners to develop our evidence base and identifying measures to protect and improve the water environment.
• Working with and influencing others to deliver identified measures through multi-agency partnership working.
• Developing a sustainable future for our environment by influencing catchment strategies, plans, and projects, particularly for nutrient management.

Our work helps to ensure that delivery on the ground, whether EA or partners, is as effective and efficient as it can be and provides as much for the environment as possible for every pound spent. The team is made up of planning specialists and officers and focuses on water quality, water resources and catchment planning. We work together and with others to develop plans and actions to protect and improve water quality in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. You will work primarily within catchment planning and water quality.

Essential

• Experience making or implementing plans to improve the water environment
• Experience of applying your analytical skills to evidence and explore problems and make proportionate, evidence-based proposals
• Good organisational skills/discipline and the ability to plan, track, deliver and evaluate work, to time and quality standards
• You’ll be self‑motivated and work under your own initiative and as part of larger, multidisciplinary teams
• You’ll be an excellent communicator, experienced at making sense of technical information and presenting it in a clear and logical way for audiences ranging from external partners to senior colleagues
• Effective influencing skills and be able to persuade internal teams and external partners to work collaboratively when developing and delivering environmental outcomes
• You’ll be diplomatic, sensitive and demonstrate political awareness when dealing with customers, stakeholders, and communities
• Knowledge of the impact and mitigation of excessive nutrients in surface waters would be advantageous.