Job Description
You will play a crucial role in the management of Shropshire Groundwater Scheme (SGS) – a Category A Strategically Important Asset which helps to provide drinking water to six million people as part of River Severn Regulation.
Supporting the SGS Asset Manager, your duties will include helping to manage maintenance and improvement works. You will proactively undertake routine asset management duties to ensure that the scheme is ready to respond when needed. At times this will require making independent decisions once sufficient experience has been gained.
As part of the role you'll help identify defects, prioritise works and assist in planning for maintenance and public safety works. The work will include preparation of contract documentation, CDM, liaison with contractors, supervision of contractors, undertaking statutory inspections and assisting with water quality sampling.
The scheme is operated during times of drought during which you will assist the SGS Project Manager in making operational decisions and covering the SGS PM during absences.
The role also includes asset management of other smaller groundwater monitoring assets within West Midlands. Following sufficient training by the SGS Project manger this work will include independently cataloguing assets, identification of defects / performance issues and the planning of small projects work to ensure that they are at the required condition to perform their role.
You will assist the SGS Project Manager in delivering the works you have planned through various contract routes.
SGS work will account for approximately 80 percent of your core work time with 20 percent to be spent on smaller ground water monitoring assets.
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.
The team
You’ll join our Asset Management Team – part of the Water Land and Biodiversity (WLB) Function. We provide an asset management service on a range of asset portfolios including hydrometry/ telemetry, SGS, groundwater, fisheries and navigation. This includes asset cataloguing, condition inspection, public safety risk assessments and inspections, maintenance and improvement project management and investment planning. We work to have the right assets in the right places in the right condition to perform their function.
Experience/skills Required
In your capability-based answers we are looking for someone with these skills:
- ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.
- ability to prioritise work according to risk and providing the optimum outcome for people and the environment
- experience of independently solving problems to deliver solutions to time, cost and quality
- experience of proactively managing assets
- experience of delivering maintenance or improvement works through internal delivery teams or external contractors
- experience of working under CDM regulations
- qualification in engineering (eg HNC / HND or equivalent) – preferable but not essential
- full UK driving licence
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided. Depending on existing qualifications / experience, we may require you to undertake a qualification in engineering with funding and time provided.
Contact and additional information
You’ll be expected to partake in the SGS Operational Support Group Roster for when the scheme is operating. You will also have a secondary incident management role.
You will be based at Hafren House, Shrewsbury. You will be required to attend the office or visit site several days per week and will therefore need to be located within easy reach (30 minute drive) of Hafren House or Shropshire Groundwater Scheme.
When office or site attendance is not required, you will have the option to work from home.
Some travel and overnights may be required.
Any queries, contact edward.lavis@environment-agency.gov.uk
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held in person.
Competence 1
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Taking decisions and solving problems
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
You’ll be expected to take decisions and solve problems when planning and overseeing work such as maintenance or asset improvement work.
Tell us about a time when you had to overcome a problem to achieve a successful outcome on a project or piece of work.
Competence 2
Health Safety & Wellbeing
Description
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Managing safety (operational, construction and public) will form a key part of this role. Tell us about a time when you have had to manage health and safety risks in an operational environment.
Competence 3
Assets Management
Description
Effective Asset Management
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Tell us about a time when you had to manage an asset or group of assets so that they were ready to perform their role. What did you do, what factors did you consider, what data and information did you need?
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.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. 
