Overview

Environment & Business Senior Advisor, Air Quality - 31816

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce reflecting the communities it serves. We seek to embrace diversity for the benefit of staff, communities and the environment. We are looking for a driven, proactive individual to join the National Air Quality Team. In this role you will lead key streams of ongoing air quality work and a programme of Air Quality Projects, and provide advice and guidance on air quality issues both internally and externally to the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development of Environmental Assessment Levels for key atmospheric pollutants, in support of Net Zero delivery.
• Providing strategic input to bridging planning and permitting issues, including input on air quality and amenity issues in development plans; supporting the Environment Agency’s approach to responding to planning application consultations; and shaping our role as Air Quality Partners.
• Overseeing and guiding the capture and use of emissions data and evidence to underpin our decisions and regulate more effectively, in particular the use of our Pollution Inventory data.
• Providing mentoring and development support to junior Air Quality team members.
• Contributing to all areas of the Environment Agency Air Quality work.
• Responding to internal and external technical queries on air quality issues.
• Undertaking site visits to high profile industrial sites to support emission reduction measures.
• Supporting Defra as required in the development of new or updated air quality policy, e.g., input to the Gothenburg Protocol.

Team and context

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

Experience / Skills Required

• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.

Baseline knowledge

• 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

Delivery capabilities

• 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.

Development and working arrangements

A full range of development and training opportunities will be provided. You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. The working location is flexible / hybrid with EA Office base location. Some travel and overnights may be required.

Applications and selection

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact lucia.susani@environment-agency.gov.uk. Applications are blind assessed using competency questions. Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date. Length of contract: Up to 6 months with possible extension.

Competencies

• Scientific Knowledge — Applies scientific knowledge of air quality and atmospheric pollutants to provide sound, science-based evidence to internal and external customers.
• Shapes organisational approach & delivery — Informs government policy and translates it into cost-effective operational activity delivering outcomes for people and the environment.
• Legislative Knowledge — Applies statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect the Environment Agency and the environment.

Other

We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. A Guaranteed Interview Policy is available to support those with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Consulting, Information Technology, and Sales