33105 - Water Quality Planning Specialist
| Posting date: | 24 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £43,198 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 March 2026 |
| Location: | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Environment Agency |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 33105 |
Summary
Are you passionate about protecting our water environment and improving the quality of Yorkshire’s, Cumbria & Lancashire surface waters?
We are seeking an enthusiastic, self‑motivated individual with experience in water quality planning to help review, challenge, and advise on stakeholder plans and permissions. Your work will ensure that activities across the region protect and enhance our freshwater environment. You will collaborate with national policy teams, area delivery colleagues, and key customers on strategic water planning, helping us respond to current pressures and future demands.
A key part of the role involves working closely with water companies to reduce the impact of sewage discharges. Knowledge or experience in any of the following areas would be beneficial:
Price Review
the Water Framework Directive,
wastewater management,
water company performance and regulation,
river or lake water quality modelling, price reviews or asset management planning,
Urban Pollution Management processes and standards.
Working with partners and colleagues, you will help identify optimal solutions to environmental challenges and provide advice on regulatory requirements that support our ambition to improve surface water quality for people, wildlife, and the wider environment.
IMPORTANT: we have 3 roles available, 2 are in Yorkshire and 1 in Cumbria & Lancashire.
These are area team roles and you must be based near the location listed in the advert.
Pick your top 2 location preferences
Benefits of working with the Environment Agency include:
Hybrid and flexible working to support work–life balance
25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, increasing with service
Flexi‑time, allowing colleagues to accrue and use additional hours
Two annual environmental days for volunteering or environmental activities
Opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development through our learning zone and supported training pathways
For more information, refer to the candidate pack attached to this advert.
The team
The Integrated Environment Planning (IEP) team is predominantly a water planning team with specialists in water resources, water quality and river basin planning.
Working with area operational teams, national policy makers and other stakeholders, in particular water companies, we produce the environmental plans that drive Yorkshire and Cumbria & Lancashire area priorities.
Our diverse and friendly teams of advisors are at the heart of environmental decision making, facilitating integrated actions to solve complex problems.
Experience/skills required
We’re looking for someone ready to elevate their career and help shape the future of water quality. If you’re driven by environmental impact, technical leadership, and practical problem solving, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference.
Desirable:
Working toward or holding membership in a relevant professional institute (e.g., CIWEM) Support from the organisation to help fund a chartership is available.
Science‑based degree or relevant experience
Skills:
Strong knowledge of water quality planning
Experience working with or alongside water companies
Ability to lead technical discussions with internal and external partners
Demonstrated leadership within a specialist technical discipline
Research and analytical skills
Ability to produce proportionate, evidence‑based conclusions
Skilled in gathering, managing, and quality‑assuring data
Excellent planning, tracking, and delivery discipline
Ability to work independently and within teams
Strong task‑prioritisation and deadline‑driven delivery
Sensitivity to internal and external customer needs
Translate internal guidance into effective local delivery
We are seeking an enthusiastic, self‑motivated individual with experience in water quality planning to help review, challenge, and advise on stakeholder plans and permissions. Your work will ensure that activities across the region protect and enhance our freshwater environment. You will collaborate with national policy teams, area delivery colleagues, and key customers on strategic water planning, helping us respond to current pressures and future demands.
A key part of the role involves working closely with water companies to reduce the impact of sewage discharges. Knowledge or experience in any of the following areas would be beneficial:
Price Review
the Water Framework Directive,
wastewater management,
water company performance and regulation,
river or lake water quality modelling, price reviews or asset management planning,
Urban Pollution Management processes and standards.
Working with partners and colleagues, you will help identify optimal solutions to environmental challenges and provide advice on regulatory requirements that support our ambition to improve surface water quality for people, wildlife, and the wider environment.
IMPORTANT: we have 3 roles available, 2 are in Yorkshire and 1 in Cumbria & Lancashire.
These are area team roles and you must be based near the location listed in the advert.
Pick your top 2 location preferences
Benefits of working with the Environment Agency include:
Hybrid and flexible working to support work–life balance
25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, increasing with service
Flexi‑time, allowing colleagues to accrue and use additional hours
Two annual environmental days for volunteering or environmental activities
Opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development through our learning zone and supported training pathways
For more information, refer to the candidate pack attached to this advert.
The team
The Integrated Environment Planning (IEP) team is predominantly a water planning team with specialists in water resources, water quality and river basin planning.
Working with area operational teams, national policy makers and other stakeholders, in particular water companies, we produce the environmental plans that drive Yorkshire and Cumbria & Lancashire area priorities.
Our diverse and friendly teams of advisors are at the heart of environmental decision making, facilitating integrated actions to solve complex problems.
Experience/skills required
We’re looking for someone ready to elevate their career and help shape the future of water quality. If you’re driven by environmental impact, technical leadership, and practical problem solving, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference.
Desirable:
Working toward or holding membership in a relevant professional institute (e.g., CIWEM) Support from the organisation to help fund a chartership is available.
Science‑based degree or relevant experience
Skills:
Strong knowledge of water quality planning
Experience working with or alongside water companies
Ability to lead technical discussions with internal and external partners
Demonstrated leadership within a specialist technical discipline
Research and analytical skills
Ability to produce proportionate, evidence‑based conclusions
Skilled in gathering, managing, and quality‑assuring data
Excellent planning, tracking, and delivery discipline
Ability to work independently and within teams
Strong task‑prioritisation and deadline‑driven delivery
Sensitivity to internal and external customer needs
Translate internal guidance into effective local delivery