Overview

Environment & Business Senior Advisor, Air Quality - 31816

You’ll join the Environment Agency’s National Air Quality Team to lead key streams of ongoing air quality work and a programme of Air Quality Projects. You will provide advice and guidance on air quality issues to colleagues and external partners, support the development of environmental assessment levels, planning and permitting inputs, and help shape the team’s approach to air quality policy and practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Environmental Assessment Levels for key atmospheric pollutants, in support of Net Zero delivery.
• Provide strategic input to bridging planning and permitting issues, including air quality and amenity concerns in development plans; support EA’s response to planning consultations; and shape our role as Air Quality Partners.
• Oversee and guide the capture and use of emissions data and evidence to underpin decisions and regulate more effectively, particularly using Pollution Inventory data.
• Mentor and develop junior Air Quality team members.
• Contribute to all areas of the Environment Agency Air Quality work and respond to internal/external technical queries.
• Undertake site visits to high-profile industrial sites to support emission reduction measures.
• Support Defra as required in developing new or updated air quality policy (e.g., input to the Gothenburg Protocol).

Experience / Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and actively encourage consideration of diversity in work.
• Good understanding of UK and international air quality legislation, air quality standards and targets, and regulatory approaches for industrial installations and Environmental Assessment Levels in setting permit limits.
• Understanding of the Environment Agency’s role in the planning regime.
• Ability to work with a wide range of internal and external customers; ability to deliver technical information in accessible language; ability to prepare, run and respond to technical consultations; and to influence outcomes through relationships.
• Project management skills, including delivering to time and budget.

Additional Information

• Contract type: Up to 6 months with possible extension.
• Location: EA Office base; national role with flexible / hybrid working.
• Travel: Some travel and overnights may be required; smart tools used to stay connected.
• Applications are blind assessed; interviews via MS Teams within two weeks of closing date.
• We welcome flexible working patterns and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with disabilities.