Environmental Monitoring Officer Grade 3 in Shrewsbury

Summary

Environmental Monitoring Officer Grade 3

Environment Agency Posted on 2022-11-18

Salary	£25,042 a year
Location	Shrewsbury
Type	Full-time

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Job Description

We’re proud to promote a safe, inclusive, flexible and supportive culture at the Environment Agency, as a life-enhancing place to work, creating better places for people and wildlife.
If you are an enthusiastic and passionate freshwater ecologist, a strong team player who can achieve results and adopt changing priorities quickly, join us and develop in a really fulfilling role.
The core work is aquatic ecological surveying, species identification and analysing data to assess the changing environment. We also support pollution, drought and flooding incident response.
The role is full of variety, there are many opportunities to build expertise and we provide specialist training.

• We work together in the field, undertaking ecological field surveys of aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates, algae, fish and freshwater habitat.
• In our laboratories we analyse samples of aquatic macroinvertebrates to mixed taxon level (including some to species) and identify algae.
• From offices, we monitor telemetry, record and interpret our range of data sets and write compelling reports to inform and influence partners, protecting the environment through advice, regulation and enforcement.

Our working patterns and locations are flexible, including appropriate working from home. We develop our people, set clear objectives and commit to an inclusive, safe, fair and empowering culture.

The team

Our officers help develop and schedule our monitoring programme, conduct surveys, analyse and report on quality-controlled data. We investigate environmental issues identified and our data underpins decision-making and delivering statutory responsibilities.
Our induction, development and team-working will help you gain proficiency within the organisation and build on the strengths you bring to our team.
All staff train to support our combined Area response to a wide range of incidents including pollution, flooding, waste and drought.

Experience/skills required

An ecological technical degree or sufficient relevant freshwater ecology experience will provide a strong base for this post. A foundation in freshwater species identification, microscopy, using dichotomous keys and familiarity with field survey methodologies for macroinvertebrates, plants, fish and habitat in freshwater would demonstrate potential for success in this role.
Conducting ecological surveys and operating telemetry, populating databases, data interpretation and reporting are core work. Training is provided to achieve accreditation in river habitat survey, freshwater macroinvertebrate and plant identification as these capabilities are essential. Expected behaviours include self-development, initiative, organisation, focus on current priority, adaptability to changing directions, effective teamwork and supporting our response to incidents.

Contact and additional information

We are an area-wide team covering the whole of the West Midlands. The postholder can be based in either Lichfield (WS13 8RR), Shrewsbury (SY3 8BB), Tewkesbury (GL20 8JG) with some travel required between offices. There will be a requirement to attend pollution incidents and help with field work across the area.
Accessing rivers means a valid driving licence, bankside mobility and swimming capability are genuine operational requirements.

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Philip Wormald, Analysis and Reporting Team Leader on 07710903400 or email philip.wormald@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 12 December 2022.

Company description:

The Environment Agency (EA) is a non-departmental public body, established in 1995 and sponsored by the United Kingdom government »s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), with responsibilities relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment in England