Water Quality Planning Specialist

Overview

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.

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., 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

• 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

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 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.