Groundwater Protection Officer
£34,320
West Malling / Tonbridge / Canterbury
Permanent
Staff Grade: 4

About Us

The Environment Agency has a broad and varied remit to protect and enhance the environment, with a goal to create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for people and wildlife. Water is at the heart of all we do, drinking, washing, recreation, industry and health, our environment and economy depend on this precious resource. Clean and available water is essential and as water becomes an increasingly scarce resource, we need to do more to ensure we protect it.

Kent has a great variety of geological and groundwater interests and pressures. Groundwater is vital for maintaining the health of rivers, wetlands and is essential for industrial and agricultural sectors. Groundwater also serves over 70% of Kent’s private water supply for over 5 Water Companies in the area. We support the appropriate regulation and management of this precious resource in a variety of ways.

What’s in it for you:
You’ll benefit from a culture that embraces difference and is inclusive where you’ll feel supported and trusted to do the right thing. We’ll invest in you and allow you to grow and shape your career. What’s more, you’ll have access to our great benefits package including:
· A salary up to £34,320
· A generous pension scheme up to 19%
· Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay
· 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees
· Two additional days for paid environmental outcomes giving you the opportunity to take part in community activities
· Great career opportunities
· Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme

Options for flexible and/or part-time working may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Your role:
We are looking for a Groundwater Protection Officer to join our Kent based Groundwater and Contaminated Land Team. Your work in this role may include:
o Response to planning consultations from local authorities
o Providing technical advice to customers on sites affected by land contamination
o Working with our National Permitting Service to determine Environmental Permits and consents
o Providing groundwater quality advice to various internal and external customers and stakeholders, especially other teams within the area
o Supporting the team’s technical specialists in progressing groundwater quality projects

This role will be located at one of our Kent offices (West Malling, Tonbridge or Canterbury). In addition, you will work with colleagues in other Areas of the Environment Agency. Office attendance, occasional external meetings, training and site visits will be required on a business need basis.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

What you’ll need:

Essential
• A degree in a relevant environmental discipline (e.g., geology or hydrogeology or relevant environmental science with hydrogeology bias)
• Awareness of groundwater quality and land contamination issues
• A Full UK Driving licence

Desirable
• Experience working in the hydrogeological or engineering geological field.
• Understanding of key environmental legislation and guidance.
• Good organisational skills/discipline and the ability to plan, track, deliver and evaluate work, meeting relevant standards and timescales.
• The ability to work collaboratively with others and influence workstreams to ensure water quality outcomes are secured.
• Ability to effectively work in a dispersed team.
• Knowledge of water quality management and an understanding of the water industry.
Additional Information

To learn more about these roles from those already in them, gain insight into the recruitment process, and have the chance to ask your questions, join us for our candidate call on:

Wednesday 8th October 2025 at 15.10pm - 16.10pm

This will be held on Microsoft Teams and is open to all applicants. You do not need to have submitted an application to join the call, just click the apply button for further information.
This role must be undertaken from within the UK and does NOT qualify for sponsorship. Visit the Government website and search for visas and immigration to seek professional advice regarding options for obtaining the right to work in the UK.

As an organisation, we strive to reflect the communities we serve, to achieve this we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion.
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. Please see our candidate guidance on our careers site for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the UK's biggest environmental organisation and one of the largest employers of hydrologists. Join us, and together, let's tackle the challenges of a changing climate and build a more sustainable future. Apply now and embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career journey with the Environment Agency.

Please note: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at least five days in advance. Please check both your inbox and junk mail folders to ensure you don’t miss our message. A reserve list will be held, and you may be offered other roles in other locations including temporary roles, which may be similarly aligned to this role.

Closing date for applications: 20th October 2025
Interview Dates: Week commencing 10th November and week commencing 17th November 2025