Environment & Business Senior Advisor, Air Quality - 31816

Environment Agency – Senior Advisor role within the National Air Quality Team. This position leads key streams of ongoing air quality work and a programme of Air Quality Projects, providing advice and guidance on air quality issues internally and externally.

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 input on air quality and amenity issues in development plans; support the Environment Agency’s approach to responding to planning application consultations; and shape the 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 the Pollution Inventory data.
• Provide mentoring and development support to junior Air Quality team members.
• Contribute to all areas of the Environment Agency Air Quality work and respond to internal and external technical queries on air quality issues.
• 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).

The team

You’ll join the Air Quality team, within Monitoring and Assessment. We provide technical leadership on pollution issues for our regulated industry. We’re a dispersed team, working with a wide range of colleagues across the country. We’re part of Regulatory Resilience, in the Chief Regulator Group within Environment and Business, promoting an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.

Experience / skills Required

In capability-based answers please demonstrate:

• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and actively encourage consideration of diversity issues in work.

Baseline requirements (understandings):

• UK and international air quality legislation
• Air Quality standards, targets and legislation
• Regulation of industrial installations and the use of Environmental Assessment Levels in setting permit limits
• Environment Agency’s role in the planning regime

To deliver this role effectively, you will be able to:

• Work with a wide range of internal and external customers
• Deliver technical information in accessible language
• Prepare, run and respond to technical consultations
• Influence outcomes through effective relationships with colleagues and customers
• Project manage to time and budget

A full range of development and training opportunities will be provided.

Contact and additional information

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll have an EA Office base location; as a national role, the working location is flexible / hybrid. Some travel and overnights may be required. Read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact lucia.susani@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Applications are blind assessed using competency answers. Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date. Length of contract: up to 6 months with possible extension.

Competence 1: Scientific Knowledge – Applies scientific knowledge of air quality and atmospheric pollutants to provide sound, science-based evidence to internal and external customers. Describe knowledge and experience of air quality and how you would apply this to the role described.

Competence 2: Shapes organisational approach & delivery – Informs Government Policy and translates it into cost-effective operational activity delivering outcomes. Describe an example of introducing a new or improved way of working and how obstacles were overcome.

Competence 3: Legislative Knowledge – Applies statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect the Environment Agency and the environment. What are the most significant pieces of legislation for air quality and why?

Note: If applying from the Civil Service, Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant. We welcome flexible working patterns and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with disabilities who meet minimum criteria.

The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and may use Central Government frameworks for recruitment. For supplier opportunities, visit GOV.UK guidance on Crown Commercial Service.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Consulting, Information Technology, and Sales