Overview

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in delivering an operationally vital part of the Environment Agency’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme — a flagship initiative shaping how we understand and manage the water environment. The Programme supports Defra's wider NCEA programme in building a groundbreaking evidence base on the state and value of our natural environment and ecosystems to transform environmental decision-making in England.

As a technical specialist for the Land Access Database – a new database which stores landowner’s details of sites we want to monitor, you will provide oversight for all aspects of landowner access for the monitoring networks within the programme. You will maintain landowner data, complying with Environment Agency and legal requirements, and collaborate with operations specialists to ensure delivery aligns with programme goals and timelines. This role offers the chance to gain hands-on experience in managing and governing a key dataset while contributing to a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Location and travel: This is a national role with a flexible working location, but you’ll have an EA office base location. Some travel and overnight stays will be required.

Sanity-check: Applicants are encouraged to apply from diverse backgrounds. The Environment Agency promotes an inclusive culture and welcomes applicants including disabled, LGBT+ and Black Asian and Minority Ethnicities.

Responsibilities

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the best possible access arrangements for monitoring networks.
• Maintain landowner datasets and perform spatial analysis for NCEA networks with strong data management and GIS skills.
• Provide expert technical leadership through training, guidance, and optimization of data management processes.
• Work independently and collaboratively to troubleshoot challenges in access and programme delivery.
• Be adaptable and proactive, responding effectively to evolving priorities.

Experience and Qualifications

This would be a great opportunity for anyone interested in driving a data management project that will bring transformative change in environmental management and decision making. It is a good opportunity to develop networks, develop skills of working in projects and programmes, and work with a range of colleagues and partners. The successful candidate will:

• Have strong data management and GIS skills, maintaining landowner datasets and performing spatial analysis for the NCEA networks.
• Be able to interact with internal and external customers and manage datasets with integrity and quality.
• Provide guidance and expertise to improve data management processes.
• Work both independently and collaboratively to troubleshoot challenges in access and programme delivery.
• Be adaptable and proactive, responding effectively to evolving priorities.

Competencies and Selection

Competence 1: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems — Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing information, developing alternatives, and taking sound decisions.

Competence 2: Data and Information Management — Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data appropriately for varied purposes.

Competence 3: Influences and Persuades Others — Presents cases effectively to win agreement and support for plans.

Competence 4: Focuses on Customers and Partners — Addresses the needs of internal and external customers and provides rapid, effective responses.

Please note: Your answers to competency questions will be used for interview selection. You may draw on experiences from work or outside work. If applying from Civil Service, Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We also guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.

Contact and Additional Information

This post sits within the National Monitoring – Fish and Ecology team.

Please see Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. For queries, contact mike.fraser@environment-agency.gov.uk or adam.akers@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Length of contract: Up to 2 years

Job Details

Seniority level: Associate

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Sales and Management

Locations

Grove, Newbury, Oxford, Kidlington, Reading, Didcot, Thame, Bicester, Witney, Oxfordshire and surrounding areas in England.

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