Senior Technical Officer - South East

Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? Then the Environment Agency is the organisation for you! We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share.

The STO role will be based in the South East, working as part of the national Packaging Producer. Collections, Packaging Regimes & Waste Shipments (CPR & WS).

Our job is to ensure companies dispose of their waste correctly by enforcing government regulations – ‘right waste, right place’.

You will be key to leading, monitoring and delivering compliance and enforcement.

As an STO, you will:

• Undertake audit and enforcement work in the field and desk-based.
• Collate, analyse and use complex data to make evidence-based decisions.
• Mentor and coach regulatory officers in auditing packaging producers under new regulations.
• Provide technical leadership, training, and guidance to auditors.
• Provide assurance and monitor quality of regulation by auditors.
• Answer technical queries; interpret and diagnose problems and develop solutions.
• Develop plans to check compliance and undertake enforcement action where necessary.

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises. Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment.

The team

CPR & WS is a supportive and inclusive department that encourages our teams’ health, safety, wellbeing, and development. We aim to improve the quality of recycling and ensure waste entering and leaving the country is handled appropriately for recycling and recovery. We help to protect and improve the environment by regulating industry, ensuring compliance, and eliminating illegal activities.

Key areas we regulate are: Packaging Waste, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Batteries and International Waste Shipments.

Experience/skills required

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate:

• Proven experience of Producer Responsibility regulations, preferably packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR).
• You will be based in the South East packaging producer team and you will be expected to travel.
• Excellent influencing skills and success in developing good relations in complex environments.
• Proven coaching and mentoring skills.
• Ability to manage multiple demands on time in a prioritised manner to achieve outcomes and deliver against plans.
• A record of adapting or improving ways of working to increase efficiency and productivity.
• The ability to interpret detailed legislation, technical guidance quickly and correctly.
• A full UK driving licence is essential.

Everyone starting in a new role with the Environment Agency will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support you need to succeed.

Contact and additional information

We offer an attractive and competitive benefits package including:

• A fantastic pension scheme, competitive salary, flexible working and a starting annual leave allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays (pro rata).
• Interviews for the STO role are expected to take place week commencing 10 December 2024 in Reading.
• You will need to be comfortable with working in a dispersed team. The Environment Agency utilise a hybrid working approach, including office and home working. Regular travel will be required.
• We may use the outcomes from this recruitment for future vacancies within the next 6 months.
• For an informal discussion please contact gemma.vowles@environment-agency.gov.uk

Competence 1

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

We regulate companies under new regulations. It is essential that advice, guidance and actions we provide is consistent and accurate.

Tell me about a time when you have had to deal with an urgent, complex, technical query requiring a response to both internal and external stakeholders. Please use the STAR method to structure your answer.

Competence 2

Coaches Others

You will be responsible for leading the development of regulatory officer’s technical knowledge and their softer auditing skills.

Provide an example to demonstrate how you have developed a team to improve their knowledge, skills and behaviours. Please use the STAR method to structure your answer.

Competence 3

Achieves Results

You will be responsible for prioritising and organising the team’s workload in conjunction with the Team Leader to ensure the effective regulation of packaging producers.

Provide an example of when you have planned and delivered a complex piece of work, describing how you have used your skills and the skills of others, to ensure this was delivered within the required timeframe. Please use the STAR method to structure your answer.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit this link for more information.