Candidate Information Pack. Please consider the environment and only print this document if you really need to.

Transcription

1 Candidate Information Pack Please consider the environment and only print this document if you really need to.

2 Contents 1. Our organisation 2. Flood and Coastal Risk Management 3. Thames Estuary 2100 Plan 4. Sustainable Places 5. Some of our flood risk management schemes 6. Employee testimonials 7. Roles available 8. Our benefits 9. Further information 10. How to apply 2

3 1. Our organisation We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment. Acting to reduce the impacts of a changing climate on people and wildlife is at the heart of everything we do. We reduce the risks to people, properties and businesses from flooding and coastal erosion. We protect and improve the quality of water, making sure there is enough for people, businesses, agriculture and the environment. Our work helps to ensure people can enjoy the water environment through angling and navigation. We look after land quality, promoting sustainable land management and helping protect wildlife habitats. We also work closely with businesses to help them comply with environmental regulations. Close collaboration with government, local councils, businesses, civil society groups and communities allows us to make our environment a better place for everyone. Of course, none of this would be possible without the professionalism and dedication of our staff. We re committed to helping our people to find new ways of working and to maintain our focus on creating a better place for people and wildlife. For more information on the Environment Agency and what we do, please visit 3

4 2. Flood and Coastal Risk Management At the Environment Agency, our Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) teams play a huge part in the work that we do, helping to protect against flooding and minimising the risks caused by any floods that do occur. The work we do directly and in partnership with others reduces flood risk to communities. We re making 2.5 billion capital investment between now and 2021 that will reduce flood risk to 300,000 homes, improving the environment and protecting transport, businesses and creating 30.3 billion benefit to society. It s an exciting time and we need your help to ensure we re prepared for any future flooding. All our teams have a role in incident management when flooding occurs. These vary from: Going out to support communities at risk from flooding Working in the incident room when a flood occurs Helping to manage our response to flood risk and flooding For more information on the flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, please visit our website at 4

5 3. Thames Estuary 2100 Plan Communities in London and along the Thames estuary already benefit from world-class tidal defences, but flood risk is increasing. We developed the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan (TE2100) to recommend how to manage tidal flood risk to the end of the century and beyond. The plan sets out how 1.3 million people and 275 billion worth of property will continue to be protected from tidal flood risk. Published in November 2012, TE2100 recommends the actions that we and others will need to take in the short, medium and long term. The plan is based on contemporary understanding of predicted climate change, but is designed to be adaptable to changes in predictions (including for sea level rise) throughout the century. With continued maintenance, the current tidal flood defences will continue to protect London and the estuary for longer than originally planned. These defences form a system which includes the Thames Barrier and 350 kilometres of flood walls and embankments, smaller barriers, pumping stations and flood gates. For more information on the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, please visit our website at k Management 5

6 4. Sustainable Places Sustainable Places is one of four teams making up the Climate Change and Communities Department. Through partnership with other place makers we enable sustainable growth and create better places for people and wildlife. We help create great places to live that bring communities together and improve physical and mental wellbeing. To do this, we look for opportunities to shape strategic plans for growth and development, and provide support to those organisations responsible for creating and delivering them. The team leads on issues relating to housing, planning and local government that contribute to cross cutting outcomes. Our key priorities are to: Create Better local environments that enhance people's lives and support a sustainable economy Deliver new and existing developments that have a reduced environmental impact and well planned environmental infrastructure Deliver spatial and economic planning that meets environmental standards and objectives, and addresses climate change in order to improve the quality of places for people Develop new ways of working and a culture shift that redefines our relationship with local government, neighbourhoods and communities so that we can work better in partnership to deliver local environmental outcomes Respond to changes to national, sub-national and local planning The benefits of maintaining and improving a healthy environment and managing flood risks effectively are essential. Early consideration of the range of environmental issues and their interactions offers opportunities for better outcomes at pace and with greater certainty in the process. 6

7 5. Some of our flood risk management schemes Upton-upon-Severn The area of Upton-Upon-Severn has a close relationship with its river. Pubs, bars and restaurants all line the river front, attracting locals and tourists. But in 2007 after heavy rainfall, the river burst its banks and flooded large swathes of land around it. In response, we completed a 4.6M scheme which, among other things, included a 300m long flood wall topped with a glass wall along the river bank to keep flood waters contained. We were conscious that we did not want to create an enormous wall that would close people off from the river and destroy their relationship with it, so we came up with something else. For the first time in the country, we put in glass panels along the top. It s just as stable and resilient as a wall, but it keeps the view of the river. The wall has been hailed as a huge success allowing people to still see the river while remaining protected. The wall also incorporates gates, giving access to beer gardens on the banks when the river is low. For more information on the Upton-upon-Severn flood risk management scheme, visit 7

8 Cockermouth The rivers Derwent and Cocker caused serious flooding in Cockermouth, Cumbria in In 2013, the area underwent a transformation with a new flood risk management scheme to protect approximately 260 homes and 55 businesses. On the back of the success of the Upton-Upon- Severn scheme, glass topped walls were installed to protect the river banks. But here we also took it one step further. New stone-clad concrete defence walls containing 120m of self-closing barriers which raise the height of the wall during a flood were installed. Should a flood occur, inlets in the wall allow the water to flow in raising the water level in a chamber within the flood wall pushing the 10 barriers up. CCTV and telemetry allow us to monitor each barrier individually. They re fully automatic and it s the first time they have been used in the UK. It s also the first time they ve been used over linear length (one next to the other) in the world. 8

9 Medmerry coastal realignment The area of Medmerry on the coast of Sussex was prone to flooding. In 2008, the sea breached the shingle sea defence causing around 5M of damage to the nearby towns of Pagham and Selsey. The increasingly ineffective barrier was becoming gradually more expensive to maintain, so we decided to take a new approach. After negotiating with local land owners, we decided to carry out our largest managed realignment scheme. The scheme allowed the sea to breach the shingle defence, flooding an area of low grade farm land along the coast. By doing this, it created a salt marsh buffer between the sea and the nearby towns, allowing a smaller, more maintainable defence to be built inland. In total, around 300 homes have been protected by the new measure. The area is now a bird sanctuary as the salt marches have created a 73ha nature reserve. For more information on the Medmerry coastal realignment scheme, please visit 9

10 6. Employee testimonials Professional development I first joined the Environment Agency as a mature student through the FdSc River and Costal Engineering degree. I work shadowed with Asset Performance and Flood Resilience teams while completing the full time degree. During that time I really felt supported by my colleagues, especially my mentor and managed to secure a permanent role. My new role wasn t within FCRM, which might be surprising but it gave me excellent experience within a different area of the business. I am now an FCRM Officer for Asset Performance while attending the BSc Flood and Coastal Engineering degree part time. Once again I feel very supported and encouraged in the EA and feel lucky to have a positive balance between work and education. Working in the Agency allows you to gain experience in a variety of work areas and you can potentially partake in work shadowing. Each person can also take control of their personal and professional development by logging their interests and achievements through their own Individual Performance Plan. This is discussed with your team leader and in return they can give you advice and guidance on how you can develop even further. As I am now being supported towards my IEng status, such discussions are extremely beneficial as I get to identify additional training available or proposed projects that I can get involved in. When applying for a role I d personally encourage a person to consider their examples as this can really demonstrate your capabilities and willingness to learn. Also practice makes perfect! Practice your answers to a friend or even to yourself as it ll help you feel more confident in your interview which I m sure will come across to the interviewer. As I am still developing my engineering career, the Environment Agency gives me excellent support and allows me to work flexibly in order to achieve my goals. Aoife Hart Welwyn Garden City Variety of work I joined the Environment Agency straight from university having attended a graduate presentation for the free lunch and being blown away by the variety work available and the support to become chartered with the ICE. Also the idea of only doing work that protected people and the environment was a real draw. I started on the ICE accredited graduate scheme and moved round the Environment Agency and its supply chain in order to gain the right experience. I finished the scheme and gained chartership with the ICE after five years with the Agency. I have now been at the Agency for eight years and am the Project Team Manager for the North East. My team manages the larger scale flood schemes and environmental improvement schemes across the area from inception to completion. In my job I gain immense satisfaction from the autonomy my team and I have to find a problem and solve it in new and innovative ways. 10

11 The world of flood risk management is changing with the need to deliver more efficient schemes that tackle multiple sources of flooding. To do this we have to work very closely with our partners and typically deliver integrated solutions which also provide environmental enhancements, for instance we are increasingly incorporating Natural Flood Management measures into our schemes and are incorporating this into scientific research. Through my time at the Environment Agency I have been given immense support in my development obtaining a number of externally accredited qualifications along the way. There have also been regular opportunities for progression within the organisation. Now with three young children in tow, the flexible working arrangements offered by the Agency is invaluable in providing an effective work life balance and keeping me and my wife sane. To anyone considering working for the Environment Agency I would tell them to jump at it. I have not found another employer that can offer the variety of such important work, the vocational support and general enjoyment that the Environment Agency offers. Ted Thomas Newcastle 11

12 7. Roles available Job title Contract type Locations Vacancy Flood & Coastal Risk Management Mechanical/Electrical/Control Engineer Flood Risk Management Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 One permanent vacancy (not available in Bridgwater) Bridgwater and various locations across London and the South East 6779 Flood Risk Management Engineer Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 Preston, Penrith, Exeter, Bodmin, Welwyn Garden City 6774 Flood Risk Advisor Partnerships and Relationships Management Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 Preston, Penrith, Kettering, Peterborough, Welwyn Garden City 6776 Project Engineer Flood & Coastal Risk Management Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 Exeter, Bodmin 6850 Asset Management Adviser Flood Risk Defences Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 Preston, Penrith, Exeter, Bodmin, Welwyn Garden City 6775 Project Manager - Flood & Coastal Risk Management Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 Preston, Penrith 6777 Thames Estuary 2100 Flood Risk Management Adviser Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 Central London 6852 Spatial Planning Adviser Flood Risk Management Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 Westminster, West Malling, Colchester, Welwyn Garden City 6818 Sustainable Places Economic Development Planning Specialist Fixed term to 31 st March 2019 Exeter or Bodmin

13 8. Our benefits Hours of work: Leave entitlement: Pension: 37 hours per week (less if part time) Your annual leave allowance will be 27 days plus bank holidays for (pro-rata if part time). We also offer up to two days paid environmental outcome days each year. These give you the opportunity to take part in community activities with a clear environmental outcome for people and wildlife. We will enrol you into the Environment Agency Pension Fund (EAPF) on commencing employment. EAPF is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme. It is a career average defined-benefits scheme, which means you will build up benefits based on your pay each scheme year. We will base your pension contributions on your actual pay and you will receive tax and national insurance relief on your contributions. Employee contribution rates are currently 6.5%. Whilst you are in the scheme we will also pay an employer contribution into your pension pot. We currently pay 18.5%, so this is a very generous scheme. Work/life balance: Diversity: We genuinely support flexible working hours and practices to help you strike a good balance between your work life and your personal life. We will also encourage you to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge throughout your career. We are committed to diversity and inclusion. We want all our staff to feel valued and respected and to see the Environment Agency as a great place to work. 13

14 9. Further information We are passionate about employing people from all backgrounds that reflect the diverse communities we serve. Likewise, we respect family and caring responsibilities, religious practices and disabilities. We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working patterns, including job share and we also operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with a disability. There are many opportunities for you to get involved with incident management. With 70% of incident management roles being office based, it s a unique and exciting opportunity to have a direct impact on your local community. As a national team with work and customers across England, in some of our roles you may be asked to travel, with occasional overnight stays. All work travel is paid for upfront. Please note that Environment Agency employees are not civil servants so you may wish to check your eligibility for continuity of employment by contacting your HR department. All eligible bodies are listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc.) (Modification) Order Employment agency workers and contractors are considered to be external candidates and should therefore only apply for positions that are being advertised externally. They are also not eligible to claim continuity of employment should they be successful in securing a position with the Environment Agency. To find out more about the Environment Agency, please visit Please note all successful applicants must undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks prior to commencement of employment. This includes a basic criminal records check. For the great majority of roles in the Environment Agency this will be sufficient and only certain roles will require a higher level of clearance. Should this be necessary, you will be advised of this during the recruitment process. For further information please FCRMRecruitment@environment-agency.gov.uk. 14

15 10. How to apply We use an online recruitment system. To make the application process simple and straightforward, and so that you know how it works and what we need from you, we ve put together a few hints and tips. The first thing you need to do is sign up to our recruitment system. You will need a valid address to log in and apply for opportunities, as all communication from us will be via . You can do this via the vacancy you are interested in by selecting Apply at the bottom of the advert. Once you ve clicked this link you ll then be asked Do you have the right to live and work in the UK?, Do you have the required qualifications or equivalent experience, which were stated in the job advert? and Are you currently an employee of this organisation? Simply answer yes or no and you can carry on with your application. You ll then see the Register page. Complete the details and select Submit Registration to register. You only need to register once; you ll be able to simply login next time. When it comes to the actual application, you need to fill out each section, please be aware that the system will automatically time out if you are inactive for more than 60 minutes. This will result in any unsaved information being lost so make sure you save what you are doing regularly. Once you ve finished, your details and information will be saved on the system for any future applications of course, you can edit your details at any point. When you apply to the Environment Agency for a job we will ask you to provide your personal data on our application form. We need this information so that we can establish your identity and your right to work in the UK. You can read our Data Protection Statement on the application process page of our recruitment system. It is also available for reference on each page of the application. Competency questions We re keen to know what makes you right for the job you re applying for and why we should invite you for an interview. The competency questions/statements are your chance to convince us! You should demonstrate how your skills, qualities and experience meet the requirements of the job (as described in the job advert). And instead of simply telling us, show us: use real life examples of where you ve used a certain skill or how you ve practically applied your experience, what your involvement was and what the final outcome was. Please bear in mind that there is a 250 word limit per competence, so concise and relevant detail is crucial make every word count. If you re struggling, research the STAR technique. This is an extremely important part of the selection process so make sure you dedicate enough time to this part of the application form. Think about what we need to know about you and what you can bring to the role and our organisation. We d like to hear your examples and how you worked through problems and challenges. 15

16 The following vacancies can be applied for by attaching a CV, which will be made visible for the shortlisting process. You will not have to complete any competency questions or the application form if you wish to apply for: 6774: Flood Risk Management Engineer 6779: Mechanical/Electrical/Control Engineer 6850: Project Engineer Flood & Coastal Risk Management For all other vacancies, please complete the full online application form and competency questions section. Please note, any attachments will not be visible for the shortlisting process. All decisions will be based on the information you have provided on the application form and your answers to the competency questions. Application questions For some roles, we ll ask you some specific questions, for example if you have a preferred work location. If you re disabled and you d like to be part of our Guaranteed Interview Scheme, you can add this information in here. Equality and diversity We re passionately committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve and we d like you to tell us about yourself and your background. This will help us improve our future recruitment campaigns to ensure we are attracting a diverse range of applicants. Submitting your application Once completed, you ll be prompted to submit your application. Simply click the button and you re done. If at any stage you have questions or problems, please contact the recruitment team on or ea_recruitment@sscl.gse.gov.uk. Job alerts You can set up alerts for future vacancies. You will automatically receive an when a job that matches your criteria becomes available. To do this simply click on Create a new Job Alert, enter your job criteria and save. 16