Environment & Business Senior Advisor, Air Quality - 31816

At the Environment Agency, we are committed to having an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We seek diversity, embrace it, and live it for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

You’ll join our 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 to internal and external stakeholders. The work will include but is not limited to:

• 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 in development plans; supporting EA’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 decisions and regulate more effectively, in particular the use of the 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 in developing new or updated air quality policy, e.g. input to the Gothenburg Protocol.

Team and role context

You will be part of the Air Quality team within Monitoring and Assessment. The team provides technical leadership on pollution issues for our regulated industry. We are a dispersed team working with colleagues across the country. We are part of Regulatory Resilience in the Chief Regulator Group within Environment and Business (E&B), promoting an inclusive culture where everyone is valued. We use evidence, expertise, engagement, and innovation to enhance delivery, influence policy and legislation, and secure resources.

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
• The 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

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 provided. The base location is EA Office; as a national role, the working location is flexible/hybrid. Some travel and overnights may be required. 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.

Competence areas

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 it to the role.

Competence 2 – Shapes organisational approach & delivery: Informs Government Policy and translates it into cost-effective operational activity delivering outcomes for people and the environment. Provide examples of improving ways of working and how obstacles were overcome, including influencing colleagues.

Competence 3 – Legislative Knowledge: Applies knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements. Identify significant legislation related to air quality and explain why it matters.

Note: We welcome flexible working patterns including job share and have a guaranteed interview policy to support applicants with a disability. The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses Central Government frameworks for recruitment.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level | Employment type: Full-time | Job function: Consulting, Information Technology, and Sales