Job Description
The Environment Agency are fully committed to inclusivity and equal opportunities, offering flexible work arrangements for all our vacancies. Join us in a diverse environment where every voice is heard and valued.
This post is critical in building better and sustainable links with communities and those affected by contentious regulated sites, including Sites of High Public Interest. Our aim is that the people and communities that we work with trust us and understand our decisions. This can only be achieved through effective communication and engagement.
As part of the Customer and Engagement team, you will be working closely with the Regulated Industry Teams, ALT and our professional partners. Using the Working with Others approach, you will help to develop our current and future communications and liaison with communities and stakeholders affected by problematic sites that we regulate. You will also work with our National Permitting Service to ensure engagement for permit applications of high public interest are handled appropriately.
Although this role has a Regulated Industry focus, you will advise and support staff across the business to help them engage with their customers early, effectively and with confidence, to make better decisions.
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. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.
Although the Team does not have an official standby rota you may be asked to work outside office hours in an Incident Activated Role during an incident.
The team
You’ll be part of the fast paced and creative, Northeast Customers and Engagement Team which sits within the Environment Planning and Engagement Department which operates at the heart of the Business. The Team works internally and externally to support and deliver outstanding customer service and engagement across our business. Our work is lively, interesting, and no two days are the same.
Experience/skills Required
In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your:
- ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.
- You'll have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to produce high quality, plain English work.
- You'll be a highly organised and flexible person who is able to self-manage to meet tight deadlines and prioritise workloads.
- You'll have experience of managing correspondence with a variety of stakeholders.
- You'll have excellent interpersonal skills and be confident in engaging with a variety of stakeholders and senior staff members over the phone or in person.
- Other key requirements for this job include proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
Contact and additional information
The base locations for this role are Newcastle or Darlington but we welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share.
The role may require some ad-hoc travel to attend engagement events, community meetings and regulated site visits.
For questions relating to this role, please contact Charlotte Drayton: charlotte.drayton@environment-agency.gov.uk
Interviews are expected be held on week commencing 19 January 2026, face-to-face at Tyneside House, Newcastle
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Please note we do not assess CVs. Answers to these competency questions will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your responses.
Competence 1
Manages Self
Description
Tell us about a time when you have planned work in advance by thinking through the actions necessary to complete the task to a deadline.
Competence 2
Engages others
Description
Please describe a time where you addressed the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses to an emerging situation.
Competence 3
Communicates Effectively
Description
Describe a time when you have communicated effectively to achieve a business outcome? What methods did you choose and why did you take this approach?
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. 
