Overview

Senior Advisor Contaminated Land and Minewaters - 31670

The Environment Agency is seeking a strategic thinker with a proven track record of delivery and experience in land contamination and/or abandoned mines to join the national Land & Contamination Management team. The role leads innovative project work to tackle historic legacy of land contamination and water pollution from abandoned mines.

Responsibilities

• Be the Environment Agency’s Programme Executive for both the Contaminated Land and Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programmes.
• Support and deliver on contentious issues arising from legacy contamination, helping to support Government growth ambitions and commitments under the Environmental Improvement Plan.
• Build positive relationships with Defra and other government departments, stakeholders and partners, including leading national engagement with the Mining Remediation Authority on water pollution from historical coal mining and recovering heat from underground coal mines.
• Share technical expertise across the land contamination portfolio, including remediation of land affected by contamination via voluntary remediation or spatial planning, review and update of environmental permits for treatment of contaminated soils and groundwater, regulation of Part 2A Special Sites, and preparation and publication of State of Contaminated Land Reports.
• Lead and manage a small number of direct reports in this technical field.

Team and culture

You will join the Land & Contamination Management Team in the Environment & Business (E&B) Directorate. We’re a dispersed team that works with a wide range of technical and project teams across the country. We promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We use evidence, expertise, engagement, and innovation to enhance and support delivery, influence policy, legislation, and secure resources.

Experience / Skills Required

• Technical expertise and experience in tackling legacy contamination from land contamination and/or pollution from abandoned mines (preferably both) and how you manage the risks and challenges.
• Operational knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory/best practice technical guidance. A thorough understanding of the Contaminated Land Regime under Part 2A EPA 1990 is desirable.
• Project and programme management experience including investigation/remediation of land affected by contamination or water polluted by abandoned mines, delivering results to time, cost and quality.
• Experience of successfully leading and managing high-performing teams.
• Experience of informing and influencing government departments or stakeholders on contentious or complex topics.

Technical requirements

• Qualified to at least degree level in a relevant discipline (Essential).
• Chartered or working towards chartership (Desirable).

Development and contact

Development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided. You will have an EA Office base location; as this is 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 phil.whitaker@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. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes flexible working patterns, including job share. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.

We are a Non-Departmental Public Body and use Central Government frameworks for recruitment. For information about becoming a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service, please visit gov.uk.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Management and Manufacturing

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