Senior Advisor

Job Description Do you want to make a lasting positive change to the environment? As a Senior Advisor in the UK BAT team you can. We are fully committed to having an 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. Large installations in the UK are required to use ‘Best Available Techniques’ (BAT) to reduce emissions to air, water and land. We’ve established a process for the definition of BAT within the UK. The regime will use the BAT concept principles of a transparent, collaborative, data‑ and evidence‑led process that safeguards and builds on the current high levels of environmental protection. Central to this process will be the UK BAT Senior Advisor. Responsibilities Support the drafting of BAT Conclusions, liaising with Technical Working Groups and presenting a final document suitable for publication as a new, UK‑wide, environmental standard for industry. Display a good understanding of process engineering and environmental issues. Maintain an eye for detail when reviewing technical documents. Have a sound understanding of environmental legislation and policy in the UK. Critically review arguments and data. Coordinate the work of technical authors. Exhibit great project‑management skills and a drive to complete. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, but some travel and overnight stays may be required. You’ll have an inclusive incident‑management objective in your development plan, so we’ll support and train you to find an incident role to suit your needs and circumstances. Team You’ll join our UK BAT Team. We lead on delivery of new environmental standards for UK industry, embedded within the Environment & Business (E&B) Directorate but reporting to DEFRA and the Standards Council for progress and delivery. Experience and Skills Required You will have at least five years’ working experience and a solid understanding of environmental regulation across a variety of industrial sectors. UK and EU industrial environmental legislation, particularly the IED and the Environmental Permitting Regulations. Coordinating and reviewing the publication of technical documents. You will be skilled at: Understanding the implications of BAT Conclusions in permits, on industry and the environment. Verbal and written communication. Planning, prioritising and organising tasks and resources to ensure timely and effective results. Responding flexibly to challenges and building consensus. Collecting and technically analysing complex industrial data. Working effectively with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and encouraging others to consider diversity issues in their work. Competence Framework Competence 1 – Communicates Effectively Question: Can you give an example of where you have employed effective communication techniques and describe how these were pivotal for success? How have you dealt with difficult customers? Is an active listener, has time for people; seeks their contribution. Uses a full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding. Considers needs of and impact on audience, anticipates reactions and uses appropriate communication method. Prepares written reports and data in clear, readable, accurate, grammatically correct manner. Ensures two‑way communication; responds and acts on feedback. When presenting is easily understood and inspires attention. Is clear and to the point when speaking. Anticipates main issues and prepares responses. Competence 2 – Influences and Persuades Others Question: Can you tell me of a time when you presented a view in a convincing way that positively influenced or persuaded them? Gathers relevant data, marshals facts and prepares sound arguments. Listens to others’ opinions, understands their viewpoints, needs and concerns; responds appropriately; lobbies others in advance. Creates a credible case and explains benefits; anticipates objections. Responds to the listener’s style and needs when influencing. Seeks a win‑win outcome and develops relationships with influenced parties. Prepares convincing written arguments on complex issues, presenting information logically, concisely and persuasively. Modifies and reformulates case, reads listener’s mood and adjusts accordingly. Plans and prepares influencing strategies for key players and opinion leaders. Competence 3 – Achieves Results Question: Tell me about a piece of work that you are proud of, how you achieved it, and what was the positive result? Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement. Maximises output by setting goals and priorities, tracking and measuring outcomes and taking swift remedial action. Exceeds agreed goals regularly. Perseveres when others might give up, achieving desired results. Anticipates forthcoming issues and adjusts actions as necessary. Willing to put extra effort to meet urgent deadlines; goes the extra mile. Shows resilience and performs well under pressure; responds positively to setbacks and develops alternative actions. Competence 4 – Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality Question: Can you tell me of a time when you have led a project that identified opportunities for improvement and how you succeeded in obtaining these? Identifies and seizes opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without compromising quality or accuracy. Admits errors and takes action to rectify. Demonstrates ongoing concern to improve performance and increase efficiency. Ensures accuracy of information received and produces work that is correct the first time. Puts checks in place to ensure plans and processes meet required accuracy. Actively seeks and implements opportunities to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of team. Ensures data and information are delivered accurately, timely and legally. Additional Information We’re committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve, so welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds. Join our information call about this role on the 9th December at 16:00. For more information about working for us, who to contact regarding these roles and how to apply, please read the Candidate Pack and Additional information document. If you have any queries, or want to discuss working patterns, base locations etc, please contact paul.stevens@environment-agency.gov.uk. Applications will be “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. Interviews will be held using MS Teams with four capability‑based questions and a presentation. We’ll hold a reserve list for six months. Depending on your skills/experience you may be offered an alternative post. Legal Disclosure 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 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. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non‑departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level Employment Type Full‑time Job Function Other #J-18808-Ljbffr