Environment & Business Senior Advisor, Air Quality - 31816

At the Environment Agency, we are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

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 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 the development of new or updated air quality policy (e.g., input to the Gothenburg Protocol)

The team: 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. 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.

As 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

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. 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.

Competencies

• Scientific Knowledge: Applies scientific knowledge of air quality and atmospheric pollutants to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.
• Shapes organisational approach & delivery: Informs Government Policy and/or designs, implements and supports an approach to translate it into cost-effective operational activity delivering outcomes for people and the environment.
• Legislative Knowledge: Applies knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.

We are fully committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share; please include any information regarding working arrangements on your application. We also guarantee interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets minimum criteria.

The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body. For information on engagement with Crown frameworks, visit the Crown Commercial Service website.