Job Description The Environment Agency (EA) are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment. Are you passionate about using data to make a real-word impact and ready to take on the challenge of making sense of complex environmental data to tell compelling stories about our water environment? We are seeking two people to join the EA’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme as Evidence Advisors focussing on the design and analysis of data from our new water monitoring networks covering rivers, small streams, groundwater, lakes and estuaries and coasts. Our NCEA programme is part of the wider Defra-led NCEA, a multi-agency programme gathering broad scale comprehensive data on our ecosystems to reveal their benefits for people and the economy, i.e. their natural capital. Your analyses in this role will provide evidence and insight that will ensure policy and decision makers consider the true value of nature, helping the UK meets its environmental, net zero, and biodiversity targets. Key Responsibilities: • Provide statistical input into network design/implementation, offering expertise in either hydrogeology, freshwater ecology, or estuarine and coastal environments • Collaborate with network designers to evaluate and assure that networks are unbiased and representative • Apply robust analysis techniques to evaluate network performance, assess statistical power and support interpretation of environmental monitoring data • Develop reproducible analytical pipelines • Conduct exploratory data analyses to identify key environmental relationships, drawing on your domain knowledge, and using systems mapping where appropriate • Integrate alternative datasets to support regional and trend analysis reporting • Contribute to developing metrics, indicators and advising on future reporting requirements These posts are fixed term contracts until 30/05/2027. The team You will join the Data Analysis and Statistics work package of the NCEA programme, and be supported by the Strategic Evidence Design and Assessment (SEDA) team, which ensures the best environmental evidence is at the heart of decision making. Working in a dispersed way, expect a friendly welcome and engaging work environment. We have a strong team dynamic, believe in staff development and embrace diversity. You will be given all the training and support needed. Experience/skills Required Background & Knowledge: • Degree or higher qualification in a relevant discipline, e.g., environmental science, hydrogeology, freshwater ecology, incorporating data analysis and statistics training • Background in or good understanding of freshwater, coastal and estuarine, or groundwater management and monitoring. • Experience analysing data and undertaking statistical modelling of environmental or ecological data, including a strong understanding of the complexities, dependencies, interactions and biases within such data. • Familiarity with current/emerging environmental data science practices • Experience of statistical model fitting and robustness testing advantageous Key Skills: • Self-motivated with the ability to work independently • Strong written and oral communication skills • Ability to code in R • Detail-oriented with a passion for data analysis and problem-solving • Ability to engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders • Strong organisational skills, managing workloads, deadlines, and priorities effectively • Strong interpersonal skills to build trust and gain buy-in Contact and additional information You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given. You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel. Expected travel and overnights will be required for team meetings in Birmingham / Bristol. For more details contact eleanor.d'arcy@environment-agency.gov.uk, lesley.rippon@environment-agency.gov.uk or elena.armenise@environment-agency.gov.uk. 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. Length of contract Up to 31/05/2027 Competence 1 Numerical Modelling and Forecasting Description Interprets data and information to forecast the state of the environment, including large-scale trends such as climate change, and more localised forecasting such as pollution, flooding and water availability Tell us about a time you analysed data to understand environmental trends or forecast outcomes. What tools did you use, and how did your work influence decision-making? If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability (Data and Information Management) may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview. Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack attached. Feedback is generally not available at sift stage. Competence 2 Achieves Results Description Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results. Describe a time when you had to adapt your approach or priorities in response to changing requirements or new insights during a project. How did you maintain momentum and ensure delivery of meaningful results? Competence 3 Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality Description Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy. Please provide an example of a data analysis product or solution you developed that improved the management or understanding of environmental data in your role. Describe the problem you aimed to solve, the approach you took, and the impact it had. Competence 4 Data and Information Management Description Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes. Describe a time when you had to collect, manage, and integrate complex environmental datasets from multiple sources. How did you ensure data quality, and what was the outcome of your work? 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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.