3512 - Freshwater Lead Adviser

As the freshwater agenda continues to grow within Natural England we are looking to recruit a number of staff to further develop our freshwater delivery across England. The roles will be supporting our Senior Specialist/ Senior Advisers in these areas whilst working closely with advisers across the team, the Environment Agency and the Water Companies.

The exact requirements of the role will vary depending on the team however it is expected that candidates will need a good broad understanding of freshwater issues. The person should be knowledgeable on water quality and/or resources and how the protected sites system works to be confident to support casework across the team.

Key Tasks:

• Ensure that freshwater delivery is fully embedded and supported across the area team.
• Deliver technical advice/ input on water quality with specific emphasis on designated rivers and transitional and coastal waters.
• Provide technical advice on water related casework, including basic hydrogeological advice on abstraction licences, water quality and water level issues arising on casework (planning, land management or Environment Agency consultations).
• Complete, where relevant, production of Diffuse Water Pollution Plans with the Environment Agency and embed the roll-out of their actions.
• Increase our income, by leading on/ supporting Discretionary Advice Service (DAS) work related to statutory water company plans (Drought Plans, Water Resource Management Plans and Business Plans) in particular Drought Plan Environmental Assessment Reports (EARS).
• Contribute to DAS casework emerging from water company and Environment Agency plans.
• Coordinate evaluation of water elements (condition geomorphology and flow/level as appropriate to habitat) of current condition assessments and Common Standards Monitoring.
• Help coordinate the input into the development and delivery of the relevant River Basin Management Plans in line with programme area objectives.
• Help develop and focus skills of catchment groups in water quality monitoring, delivery of integrated biodiversity outcomes and integrated approach.
• Support the delivery of water company account management.
• Help manage and develop identified water company investment within our priority areas by liaising with local advisers.
• Work with the EA on the development of their habitat creation programme, Flood Risk Management Plan and support of Natural Flood Management approaches.
• Where relevant manage Water Environment Grant projects including dealing with scheme queries, assessing and processing claims and variations. 

Technical/specialist knowledge/qualifications – Essential

• Understand and apply relevant environmental and water legislation, policy and governance frameworks to your work.
• Ability to identify how land interacts with the surrounding landscape and habitats e.g. through hydrological linkages
• Ability to identify how proposals can impact protected features for example through source, receptor, pathway approaches
• Ability to identify how proposals can contribute to environmental opportunities to enhance natural capital and deliver biodiversity net gain
• Understand and advise on appropriate management techniques to maintain or enhance the condition of an SSSI or international site (remedies, condition threats)

A Driving Licence is not essential for the role

We are the Government’s statutory advisor for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. This describes an ambitious vision, bringing new opportunities to protect and enhance, and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.

At Natural England, we love what we do. We’re here to make sure people and nature can thrive. A healthy natural environment is fundamental to our wellbeing, prosperity and happiness – that’s why we collaborate with scientists, lawyers, project managers and experts to implement environmental policy and shape decisions.

We work with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and customers on a huge range of projects, from influencing construction, advising farmers and landowners how they can manage their land in a sustainable way for the benefit of the environment, gathering and analysing environmental data, and carrying out vital statutory duties. Across the country, we’re helping nature to support people and our planet.

We are focusing our efforts on six key programmes:

Greener Farming and Fisheries – supporting those who manage land and sea to operate in harmony with the environment

Sustainable Development – creating great places for people to live and work

Connecting People with Nature - promoting health and wellbeing through the great outdoors

Resilient Landscapes and Seas – protecting and restoring wildlife and natural beauty for future generations

Specialist Science and Evidence - an evidence-led organisation that is driven by science

Managing the Organisation – gathering business data to enable decision making

Natural England staff are inclusive, motivated and ambitious to achieve results for our environment, for everyone. We welcome and encourage applications from all communities and we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours and other flexible working patterns to help employees achieve a good work/life balance and maintain their health and wellbeing.

From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Where appropriate there will be offers of training under our apprenticeship schemes.

See more about the work of Natural England at:

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england

You can view a map of our office locations here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-office-locations

How to apply

We'll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process. When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. STAR stands for:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result 

Examples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency. Please ensure you read the Candidate Information Pack before you begin completing the application form.

Job contacts;

• West Midlands – Claire Minnett, Claire.Minett@naturalengland.org.uk
• West Anglia – Cheryl Allibone, Cheryl.Allibone@naturalengland.org.uk
• Wessex – Rachel Williams, Rachel.Williams@naturalengland.org.uk
• Norfolk and Suffolk – Rosanna Kellingray, Rosanna.Kellingray@naturalengland.org.uk
• Kent and Sussex – Sue Beale, Sue.Beale@naturalengland.org.uk
• Devon and Cornwall – Michaela Barwell, Michaela.Barwell@naturalengland.org.uk
• Thames Solent Team - Graham Horton, Graham.Horton@naturalengland.org.uk