Overview

Environment & Business Senior Advisor, Air Quality - 31816

We are looking for a driven, proactive individual to join our National Air Quality Team. In the role, you will lead key streams of ongoing air quality work, and a programme of Air Quality Projects; and provide advice and guidance to air quality issues both internally and externally to the organisation.

The work will include but not be 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 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 and inputting 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, eg input to the Gothenburg Protocol

Team context

You’ll join our Air Quality team, within Monitoring and Assessment. We provide technical leadership on pollution issues of 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 (E&B), promoting an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.

Experience / Skills Required

In 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

Baseline requirements you will have a good understanding of:

• UK and international air quality legislation
• Air Quality standards, targets and legislation
• The approach to regulation of industrial installations, and the use of Environmental Assessment Levels in setting permit limits
• The 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

Additional information

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. Appropriate training will be given. You’ll have an EA Office base location; as a national role, the working location is flexible / hybrid. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, 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 your answers to the 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 of atmospheric pollutants to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers. Describe your 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 for people and the environment. Provide an example of introducing a new or improved way of working and how you influenced colleagues.

Competence 3 — Legislative Knowledge

Applies knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect the Environment Agency and the environment. What do you view as the most significant pieces of legislation aimed at protecting or improving air quality, and why?

Note: We welcome flexible working patterns and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities.