OCS WQ Innovative Permitting Business Partner - 29357

Job content

Job Description

We are looking for a business partner to work in the Innovative Permitting team in Operations Catchment Services (OCS).

The OCS Water Quality Innovative Permitting Team are a team of technical experts. We work closely with area colleagues in relation to the development of innovative catchment and nature-based solutions (NbS).

Water companies have been encouraged to use alternative catchment schemes and NbS such as integrated constructed wetlands to reduce nutrient loading into watercourses. These schemes form part of the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).

You will have a sound knowledge of water quality planning. Understanding the water industry and the price review process are desirable. You will provide a link between National Environment & Business and Area Integrated Environment Planning colleagues to provide support and advice, ensure consistency and share knowledge. Excellent communication and networking skills will be required.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. We require you to have an incident role. You will need to be available to respond to or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

The team

You will be one of six business partners working with planning and guidance specialists within a dispersed national team. Innovative Permitting is part of the OCS water quality team. As a relatively new team you will help shape its work and embed it in the wider team culture. We take a one business approach, working with colleagues across the whole organisation both in national and area teams.

Experience/skills Required

We are seeking a person with a dedicated commitment to innovation and excellent communication and influencing skills. Knowledge of the water industry or experience of the price review process is desirable but not essential. You’ll be qualified to at least degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. You will possess proven ability of:

• Effective working with external organisations, particularly water companies;
• Using exceptional communication and networking skills to influence or help deliver outcomes;
• Interpreting or evaluating evidence to propose effective solutions for challenging problems;
• Shaping and facilitating change or new ways of working to improve efficiency and productivity.
  

You are experienced in working in a dispersed team. You will be expected to travel for national meetings with occasional overnight stays.

Contact and additional information

Closing date: 27 August 2024

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working patterns, including part time and job share.

More details about the role are in the attached Candidate Pack.

For more information on the work of the Environment Agency and what you can expect working for us, please explore our Environment Agency Careers site

For more information about the role, please contact either Abigail Phillips, email abigail.phillips@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 07787002813 or Nick Diggle email: nick.diggle@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 07770792809

Interviews will be held after 15 September 2024 via MS Teams

Length of contract

Up to 12 months

Competence 1

Communicates Effectively

Description

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response and how it would relate to this role.

Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

This post will require you to deal with a range of partners and stakeholders.

When have you had to adapt your style for a particular audience? Please explain what you did to meet their needs. How do you communicate technical data effectively to a non-technical or mixed audience?

Competence 2

Achieves Results

Description

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response and how it would relate to this role.

Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

How do you prioritise your work and manage different projects? How do you assess the effectiveness of your work?

Competence 3

Influences and Persuades Others

Description

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response and how it would relate to this role.

Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Changes to how we permit will result in questions about the impacts on a range of partners, internal and external.

Please describe a time when you have had to persuade a range of partners of the validity of a concept. How did you approach the situation? What was the outcome?

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.