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, manage a programme of Air Quality Projects, and provide advice and guidance on air quality issues both internally and externally to the organisation. 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 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 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, e.g., input to the Gothenburg Protocol

Team and role context: You’ll join our Air Quality team within Monitoring and Assessment. We provide technical leadership on pollution issues for our regulated industry. The team is dispersed and works with a wide range of 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 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.

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

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. 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 your 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 / Knowledge Areas

• Competence 1: Scientific Knowledge — Applies scientific knowledge of air quality 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.
• Competence 2: Shapes organisational approach & delivery — Informs policy and designs/implements an approach to translate it into cost-effective operational activity delivering outcomes for people and the environment.
• Competence 3: Legislative Knowledge — Applies knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect the Environment Agency and the environment.

Equality, diversity and inclusion: The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Flexible working patterns are welcome; guaranteed interview policy is available for applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria. We are a Non-Departmental Public Body and use Central Government frameworks and contracts for recruitment.