Groundwater Modelling Advisor

Job Description

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 any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We lead on the management of groundwater modelling and delivery of water resources projects on behalf of Environment Agency stakeholders. We are looking for an experienced Hydrogeologist and Project Manager with knowledge of conceptual and numerical groundwater models to join the Technical Projects Team. You will help deliver a comprehensive programme of regulatory groundwater model development, update, and operation in support of business decisions in local operations so that our groundwater models support the regulation of groundwater to protect the environment and deliver for the businesses we regulate.

• Take forward the groundwater investigation and modelling programme, using consultant or in‑house resources, to undertake field investigations, refine and update groundwater models, and test scenarios to support water resources and water quality decision‑making.
• Manage projects within the team programme from the initiation of the project to the delivery of project outputs.
• Act as a focus of expertise for groundwater investigations and modelling, keeping abreast of technical work being undertaken across the Environment Agency.
• Keep abreast of technical investigation and modelling work being undertaken externally, particularly across the Regional Groups and water companies.
• Organise the issue of intellectual property licences to external organisations seeking to use Environment Agency data, information and models.
• Be an active member of the wider groundwater modelling community.

• Experience as a water resources specialist who has worked with or developed groundwater models and can provide technical leadership.
• Ability to deliver high‑value projects, including gaining budget and project approval and procuring and managing consultants or in‑house resources.
• Skill in organising and prioritising delivery of complex activities.
• Capability to interpret groundwater model results and support their input to decision‑making.
• Strong communication skills, keeping others informed, managing expectations and anticipating others’ needs.
• Ability to convey technical information to a range of audiences.
• Educational background: a degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, ideally holding a higher degree in Hydrology, Hydrogeology or Water Resources Engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, actively encouraging others to consider diversity issues in their work.

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to competency questions. Interviews are expected to be held via MS Teams in the week beginning 12th January 2026. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we will hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

Scientific Knowledge

• Apply scientific knowledge from various disciplines to provide sound, science‑based evidence to our internal and external customers.
• Competency question: “Describe how you have used scientific knowledge in your current role, and how that knowledge has influenced decision‑making.”

Programme and Project Management

• Select, plan and manage contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost‑effectively.
• Competency question: “Describe one of the key projects or programmes of work that you have managed focusing on the actions taken by you to move the project from initiation to delivery.”

Customer and Partner Relations

• Address the needs of internal and external customers, providing rapid and effective responses.
• Competency question: “Tell us about your experiences of working with customers and/or partners, including what difficulties you have encountered and how successful you feel you have been at meeting their needs.”

If you are applying from the Civil Service, please note that the Environment…