Job Description
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 Hydrology Team delivers expert information and guidance to both internal and external customers throughout the North East region. We conduct detailed analysis and interpretation of hydrometric data across a comprehensive range of meteorological, soil, and river conditions, employing statistical, modelling, and graphical methodologies. Our in-depth understanding of catchment response underpins decision-making processes related to water allocation, water quality, flood risk management, and habitat conservation. We work in close coordination with our hydrometry colleagues to ensure that the monitoring network accurately represents the diverse landscapes and climatic variations across the region.
You will work closely with fellow Hydrology Technical Officers and the Technical Specialist to deliver hydrological analysis and interpretation across the full flow range from drought to flood. You will collaborate with team members to monitor catchment response, advise on appropriate considerations for permitting, and contribute to the management of water resources. You will provide technical expertise to colleagues working with communities and partners to protect and enhance the water environment, tailoring your communications to suit varying levels of technical understanding. You will also help lead our contribution to incident response, ensuring we provide timely, accurate, and comprehensible analysis and interpretation of catchment response.
You’ll work with the team and others to continuously improve the quality of hydrological data and its supporting metadata. This will include contributing to key performance indicators. You will bring the expertise and experience needed to identify and resolve complex data quality issues, drawing on your knowledge of hydrometry and hydraulics.
The team
The Hydrology and Water and Metal Mines team is multifunctional, made up of two distinct but linked disciplines. The team has four hydrology posts, you will be supported by the Hydrology Technical Specialist, and a Hydrology Technical Officer, both of whom will help guide your training and development.
The Water and Metal Mines part of the team deliver the mine water project to clean up rivers polluted by metals from the abandoned mines.
Experience/skills Required
You’ll understand hydrology concepts and will be competent in the core hydrological skills of data analysis, problem solving, recognising, and reducing data uncertainty, and interpreting hydrological information. These skills will be supported by an understanding of catchment hydrological response across the full range of flows from droughts to floods.
You will be a capable user of standard rainfall, soil moisture, river level and river flow methods and tools. You will share your expertise with others including training new team members.
You’ll be expected to be proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word. You’ll also be a confident communicator and be able to convey information and ideas clearly. You will deliver work to high standards and be able to prioritise and organise tasks to achieve results.
You’ll have relevant work experience or a degree in hydrology, geography, environmental sciences or a related subject.
Contact and additional information
The base location for this role is Tyneside House, Newcastle. The role requires regular office attendance with occasional travel to different offices and in-person training courses that are sometimes based in a different geographical area. There will be field work within the North East area on an ad hoc basis. A full UK Driving Licence is essential.
This is a physical role that will sometimes be carried out outdoors in harsh conditions. You must be able to confidently walk across uneven ground in all weather conditions and be confident working near water. Any Personal Protective Equipment will be provided to you.
Please read the Candidate Pack for information. Any queries, contact alexandra.mason@environment-agency.gov.uk
Interviews anticipated for 28th and 19th January 2026, face-to-face at Tyneside House, Newcastle.
Competence 1
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Please note that applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Competency description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives, and taking sound and timely decisions.
Question: At the Environment Agency we make decisions based on environmental data which has uncertainty and can be missing in space or time (we do not measure every river).
Tell us about a time you have had to solve problems or take decisions based on imperfect data. What process did you go through and what was the result?
Competence 2
Communicates Effectively
Description
Competency description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
Question: Part of the hydrologist officer’s role is to communicate the technical aspects of hydrology to non-technical colleagues such as managers and other stakeholders.
Can you describe how you have communicated hydrological ideas to a non-technical audience?
Competence 3
Data and Information Management
Description
Competency description: This capability examines how you collect, analyse, interpret, and share data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
Question: The hydrology team provides a hydrological service to the North East area which includes using hydrometric data to support the decision making of other departments.
Tell us about a time when you had to interpret a variety of hydrological datasets to use in a report or project?
Role specific license requirements
Full UK Driving Licence
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.
