Hydrometeorologist - 33724

Job Locations

East Midlands, East of England, National, North East, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber

City/Town: Birmingham, Exeter, Leeds, Peterborough, Reading, Warrington, Worthing, Various

Buildings/Sites: DEFRA GRP EA AQUA HOUSE, B3 1AQ; DEFRA GRP EA FLOOD FORECASTING CENTRE, EX1 3PB; DEFRA GRP EA KINGS MEADOW HOUSE, RG1 8DQ; DEFRA GRP EA LEEDS LATERAL, LS11 9AT; DEFRA GRP EA MANLEY HOUSE, EX2 7LQ; DEFRA GRP EA RICHARD FAIRCLOUGH HOUSE, WA4 1HT; DEFRA GRP PETERBOROUGH HARVESTER WAY, PE1 5UT; DEFRA GRP WORTHING TEVILLE GATE HOUSE, BN11 1UR; Various

Job Details

Grade: Staff Grade 5

Post Type: Permanent

Role Type: Analytical, Operational Delivery, Science

Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Compressed Hours

About the Role

As a Hydrometeorologist, you will combine disciplines of weather forecasting and flood forecasting to deliver critical products and services. You will support the responder community, aiding decision-making and timely action to reduce flood impacts. Undertaking service improvement projects, you'll apply new science and approaches to enhance user experience.

You should be an experienced hydrologist or meteorologist, with operational experience, and a passion for flood science. Scientific capability, coupled with professional communication skills are essential for this role due to the nature of incident response and engagement with national partners. Previous meteorology experience would be beneficial.

Shift Work & Roster

This role will require you to be part of a 24/7 roster (issued roughly 3 months in advance) which will include on-call, nightshift, weekend and bank holiday working. This will attract a 20% shift allowance.

Flexible Working

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including full-time, part-time, job-share and compressed hours options.

Security Clearance

All Environment Agency staff undergo baseline personnel and security standard checks before they start work. This role requires a more extensive security check. The successful candidate will need to be able to pass and maintain suitable security clearance (minimum SC) within the first 6 months, a requirement of which is to have been resident in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. For further information, visit the introduction to national security vetting page on the gov.uk website.

Training & Induction

As part of this role, you are required to complete the Met Office's Operational Meteorologist Foundation Course and pass the operational assessments. You will need to be available for up to 10 weeks for initial training and induction which will be based in Exeter. Scientific capability to pass this course will be assessed at interview.

Experience & Skills

We are seeking a proactive person, with great initiative, skilled in analysing, interpreting and presenting data to diverse audiences. An outstanding communicator, you will quickly build relationships with stakeholders across Government, emergency responders and partner organisations.

Essential Qualifications

• Expertise in hydrology or meteorology with demonstrable capability in areas such as hydrological modelling, flood risk management or flood forecasting.
• Degree in geography, environmental science, a physical science, meteorology or mathematics (at 2:2 or higher), or relevant technical experience.
• A-levels in mathematics and physics, or direct equivalent (e.g. Scottish Highers), or alternative ways of demonstrating the required standard.

Location Preference

Exeter is the preferred base location, but we welcome applications based at an EA Forecasting hub (Leeds, Peterborough, Warrington, Birmingham, Reading, Exeter, Worthing). You will be expected to meet with your team regularly at the Met Office Headquarters in Exeter. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Legal Requirements

This role is not suitable for candidates who will require a certificate of sponsorship for a skilled worker visa. You must be eligible to live and work in the UK to apply for this role.

Contact

Further questions or an informal chat contact

Competency Assessment

1. Scientific Knowledge - Applies scientific knowledge (various disciplines, depending on team role) to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.

2. Takes Decisions and Solves Problems - Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

3. Communicates Effectively - Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

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 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.

Equal Opportunity

To the extent permitted by law, the Environment Agency is a non-discriminatory employer and provides equal opportunities to the applicant, irrespective of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, religion, disability, or any other status protected by law.