Senior Adviser – Water Planning

Job summary

This position is based at Crewe, Manchester.

Job description

Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and
secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a
team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural
Environment? 

If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure
environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and
nature. 

The priority work Natural England is delivering includes: 

• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive;
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change;
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods;
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature, and
• Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social
  prescribing.

We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering
the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities
to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment. 

Find out more about the work of Natural England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england.

The role

The Cheshire to Lancashire area team provides environmental leadership in an area of 6 million
people with magnificent natural assets including the Pennine and Bowland hills, the wetlands of
Cheshire and Great Manchester and the wildlife-rich Irish Sea coast.

The changing climate is resulting in increasing demand on our precious water resources,
increasing demand for flood alleviation, together with the requirements placed on water
companies to clean up our waterbodies are resulting in the growth of major infrastructure
projects for water and with it the demand for advice from within Natural England on nature
recovery, natural solutions and connecting people with nature. We are looking for an
experienced and inspiring individual with a grounding in water planning. The role will focus on
Water Companies’ Water Resource Management plans and the RAPID*. It will oversee the local
contract with the Environment Agency on advice to flood alleviation schemes and support
engagement with United Utilities on the delivery of the next asset management phase. It will
advise on the development management implications of these schemes including providing guidance
on Habitats Regulation Assessments for European protected sites.

*RAPID (Regulators Advice for progressing infrastructure development) has been established to
support the development of regional solutions to the challenge of ensuring water resource
supplies are resilient to climate change, population growth and the environment. 18 schemes are
currently within the RAPID process with nine water companies who will develop integrated
regional water resource solutions between 2020-2025and construct then between 2025-30

Key accountabilities

Lead the delivery of our Water Company Discretionary Advice Project. Oversee and deliver
technical advice to Water Companies with regard the Water Resource Management plans and
specifically advice on the Strategic Regional Options Appraisals as part of the RAPID scheme.

You will be expected to advise on resource management plans, drainage water management plans
and drought plans. You will ensure that our advice to water companies reflects Natural England
strategic ambitions and integrates with other programmes including Natural Course Life IP and
Nutrient Neutrality. 

There are significant environmental opportunities to utilise natural solutions and embed nature
recovery with-in these programmes and this role is an opportunity to influence better outcomes.

You will also help to develop the skills of others in the team and support other infrastructure
projects as required.

Benefits 

Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours
and other flexible working patterns to help employees achieve a good work/life balance and
maintain their health and wellbeing. 

Natural England provides excellent opportunities for career progression, training and
development tailored to your role. From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone
in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Everyone has 10 days
to devote to personal learning and development, as well as an additional 3 days to volunteer. 

You will have access to Civil Service Pension and benefits arrangements and generous leave
allowances (33 day per year pro rata), as well as flexible working, to help you achieve a
work-life balance that works for you and us. 

You will have access to a range of benefits including discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle to
work scheme, and childcare vouchers. You can also join the Civil Service Sport club which offer
discounts on a range of sports and leisure opportunities as well as social events. 

Natural England is a fantastic place to work, where difference is celebrated. 

We’re committed to fairness and equality for all, so you feel valued for who you are and what
you do. Our shared values help us work together to benefit the communities we serve. Our
thriving employee-led diversity networks support our inclusive culture and contribute to our
Diversity Action Plan. 

Locations 

Natural England is adopting hybrid working – which means our staff work from a flexible range
of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All new
staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England and the expectation is
that all new staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of
staff in their geographical area. Full time staff are expected to attend their associated
office for a minimum of one day a week.

Staff members are required to carry out all their duties working in this way and cannot do so
from an overseas location at any time. Travel expenses will be paid if work related travel is
required but does not apply to travel between home and your associated office. 

National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be
linked with an office in the relevant geographic area. View a map of our office locations here.