Senior Environmental Scientist

CEMP; East Devon; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist to manage closed landfill sites in Norfolk. The role involves monitoring groundwater and surface water, ensuring compliance with environmental permits, and providing GIS support. Candidates must possess a degree in Environmental Science or a related field and have strong communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including flexible working arrangements and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Health and Wellbeing services

Flexible working options

Employee discounts

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• A degree in Environmental Science, Earth Science, or Geology is essential.
• Experience in waste or contaminated land industries is ideal.
• Strong IT literacy and excellent communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assess the effects on groundwater and surface water.
• Manage leachate sources at closed landfill sites.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits.
• Conduct environmental assessments and groundwater modelling.
• Update GIS database and provide GIS support.

Skills

Environmental monitoring

GIS analysis

Communication skills

Stakeholder relationship management

Groundwater modelling

Education

Degree in Environmental Science, Earth Science, or Geology

Tools

GIS software

Groundwater remediation tools

Job description

Senior Environmental Scientist | 8589 | Permanent Contract | 37 hours per week | £38,626 to £40,476 per annum (Scale J) | County Hall, Norwich

Join Norfolk County Council as a Senior Environmental Scientist. Play a vital role in protecting Norfolk's environment by helping manage closed landfill sites. You'll lead groundwater and surface water assessments, monitor leachate impacts, and support permit compliance and restoration strategies. This is a hands-on role combining fieldwork, environmental modelling, and GIS analysis, working alongside engineering and gas specialists in a close-knit, multi-disciplinary team.

Norfolk County Council is looking to appoint a Senior Environmental Scientist to join its Closed Landfill Team. This team is responsible for the management of up to 152 closed landfill sites, of which 30 are currently monitored and 7 have Environmental Permits.

In this varied role, you will be responsible for monitoring and assessing the effects on groundwater and surface water, managing leachate sources at closed landfill sites, ensuring compliance with environmental permits, and supporting the wider team. You will work alongside those responsible for engineering, leachate, and gas management.

Your duties include collating, interpreting, and distributing monitoring data, undertaking environmental assessments and groundwater modelling, conducting site investigations, groundwater remediation, and analysis. You will also update the GIS database of landfill infrastructure and provide GIS support to the team.

Candidates should possess at least an Environmental Science, Earth Science, or Geology degree, ideally with experience in waste or contaminated land industries. IT literacy, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build stakeholder relationships are essential.

The role offers flexible working, travel to landfill sites, and participation in an on-call rota for emergencies. Norfolk County Council promotes a healthy work-life balance and smarter working arrangements tailored to individual needs.

For an informal discussion, please contact Victoria Gibson, Landfill Strategy Manager, at 01603 222699 or via email.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services
• Flexible working options
• Employee discounts through Norfolk Rewards
• Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
• Relocation expenses (if applicable)
• Travel expense advances
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Tax-efficient benefits such as pension enhancements and bike schemes
• Car lease scheme for low-emission vehicles
• Referral bonuses

We encourage our staff to work collaboratively, enjoy flexible workspaces, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Our technology enables remote collaboration, requiring good broadband connectivity.

Before applying, please review the full job description and person specification. Existing Norfolk County Council employees can apply via myOracle.

Closing dates:

• Redeployment: 6 August 2025 23:59
• Other applicants: 13 August 2025 23:59