Hydrology Technical Specialist - Hertfordshire and North London

About us

Join the Environment Agency and help us protect our environment while preserving it for future generations. Our Area hydrologists monitor, analyse, assess, forecast and report on the water environment covering a diverse range of Chalk and urban rivers, canals and wetlands. We work on today’s hydrological challenges, whilst making sure we are preparing and adapting to the future challenges of Climate Change.

This is a technical leadership role within the discipline of Hydrology. The role ensures the Agency adopts best practice techniques in a consistent way so that the organisation makes the very best use of the available evidence to make sound cost-efficient operational and strategic decisions. Technical Specialists are a technically authoritative point of contact for internal and external customers.

You will help the team to manage important hydrological data sets, operate and maintain hydrological models, drought analysis and flow naturalisation, support abstraction licensing, and help to improve our hydrometric network. You will work on important issues such as Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies, the Water Industry National Environment Programme, water company water resource management plans, drought plans and the Water Framework Directive.

The role also works across multiple Areas to build consistency in approach and maximise access to specialised skills and extensive experience. It also contributes at a national level to the strategic development of the hydrology service.

Where you will work

The post is part of the Groundwater and Hydrology team in the Hertfordshire and North London Area. The team’s hydrogeologists and hydrologists provide technical expertise and support on of water resource management and regulations. They are responsible for providing technical and scientific expertise to internal teams, and to a wide range of external stakeholders, all to protect the quantity of groundwater.

Our Welwyn Garden City base location has a hybrid model allowing individuals to work either at home or at our office (a minimum number of days in the office per week will be agreed with your line manager and will be dependent on business needs and reviewed periodically)

What do I need?

• A hydrological technical qualification (BSc, MSc) or significant hydrological job experience.
• A good understanding and experience of hydrology concepts, including low flow hydrology, and can demonstrate skills in data interpretation and visualisation to inform decision making and problem solving.
• A detailed understanding of a wide range of hydrological techniques, relevant business practices and procedures to enable delivery of an effective Water Resources Hydrology Service.
• You will be able to lead hydrological technical work projects and provide hydrological expertise in multi-disciplinary projects.
• You’ll be a confident communicator and be able to convey information and ideas clearly, and influence decision makers.
• Experience of training and/or coaching others.
• You will be working towards membership of a professional body such as CIWEM.
• An understanding of how Water Resources Hydrology links to related disciplines is desirable, eg: high flow hydrology, fluvial ecology, geomorphology and the hydraulics of open channels or in-river structures.

What you will get

• Annual salary £37,462
• Training and support for professional development
• Wellbeing programmes
• Career development and training
• Employee benefits
• Flexible hybrid working hours + the potential for 15 additional flexi credit days if credit hours have been accrued
• 25 days annual leave + 8 days Bank Holidays
• Joining a workplace known for its friendly culture which strongly believes in inclusivity and allowing people to be their best self at work.

Contact and Additional Information

At the Environment Agency, we go above and beyond when it comes to diversity—we seek out new perspectives, welcome different experiences and promote inclusivity both within our staff team as well as wider communities. We're on a mission to create lasting change for people's lives across every corner of society.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents, or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and workplace adjustments will be available to support you with your incident role.

If you have any questions regarding the vacancy or application process, please contact the recruitment team at earecruitment@peoplescout.co.uk.

The information in the candidate pack is available and should be read in conjunction with the advert to understand key accountabilities and skills for success in this role.