Environmental Scientist

Norfolk County Council; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council is looking for an Environmental Scientist to manage closed landfill sites in Norwich. The role includes data analysis on groundwater and leachate, collaboration with a senior scientist, and support within the landfill management team. Candidates require a degree in Environmental Science or similar, with skills in hydrogeology and data analysis. The council offers a competitive salary and flexible working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Health and Wellbeing services

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum degree in Environmental Science, Earth Science, or Geology.
• Experience in hydrogeology or groundwater is advantageous.
• IT literate and able to build strong working relationships.
• Full driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Analyse site data and write reports on groundwater and leachate.
• Collaborate with the Senior Environmental Scientist for permit compliance.
• Support the Closed Landfill Team in various aspects of management.
• Collate and interpret monitoring data and update GIS database.
• Undertake environmental assessments and groundwater modelling.

Skills

Hydrogeology

Data analysis

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in Environmental Science, Earth Science, or Geology

Job description

Overview

Environmental Scientist | 8851 | Permanent Contract | 37 hours per week | £31,537 to £33,699 per annum (Scale G) | County Hall, Norwich

Norfolk County Council is looking to appoint a hydrogeologist to join its Closed Landfill Team. This team is responsible for the management of 152 closed landfill sites, of which 30 are currently monitored and 7 have Environmental Permits. In this varied role you will be analysing site data and writing reports on groundwater, surface water, and the leachate source of the closed landfill sites for which the County Council has responsibility, working closely with the Senior Environmental Scientist to ensure compliance with environmental permits and management strategies. You will additionally provide wider support within the Closed Landfill Team and will be working alongside those responsible for the engineering, leachate and gas aspects of landfill management. You will collate, interpret and distribute monitoring data, compile conceptual site models and update the GIS database. Duties also include undertaking environmental assessments and groundwater modelling, site surveys and groundwater analysis.

Responsibilities

• Analyse site data and write reports on groundwater, surface water, and leachate for closed landfill sites.
• Collaborate with the Senior Environmental Scientist to ensure compliance with environmental permits and management strategies.
• Provide wider support within the Closed Landfill Team alongside colleagues responsible for engineering, leachate and gas aspects of landfill management.
• Collate, interpret and distribute monitoring data; compile conceptual site models; update the GIS database.
• Undertake environmental assessments, groundwater modelling, site surveys and groundwater analysis.

Qualifications

• Degree in Environmental Science, Earth Science, or Geology (minimum).
• Ideally with experience in hydrogeology or groundwater.
• IT literate with excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build strong working relationships.
• Full driving licence.

Working environment

The working environment is flexible with a focus on life-work balance and smarter working arrangements tailored to the role and individual needs. The role involves travel to closed landfill sites, working in all weather conditions, and participation in an on-call rota for out-of-hours emergency response.

Contacts

For an informal discussion please contact Victoria Gibson, Landfill Strategy Manager, on 01603 222699 or [e-mail]

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need
• Financial benefits:
  • Norfolk Rewards employee discounts program
  • Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
  • Relocation expenses (where applicable)
  • Travel expense advances
  • Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions
  • Tax efficient pension enhancements and bike schemes
  • Access to a tax-efficient car lease scheme for greener travel (subject to eligibility)
  • Refer-a-friend bonus for hard-to-fill roles

Before you apply, please read the full Job Description and Person Specification to demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here. If you are already a Norfolk County Council employee, see and apply for vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

Redeployment closing date: 22 September 2025 23:59. All other applicants closing date: 29 September 2025 23:59.