Job description

We are recruiting a fluvial flood risk modelling advisor to join our national flood risk evidence modelling service. The team supports and assures the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) programmes to deliver our core ambition of a nation resilient to climate change. Our modelling services provide the evidence base for flood management and informs strategic decision-making, supporting the ambitions of EA2030.

As a modelling technical advisor you’ll be responsible for advising on a range of investment, asset maintenance and flood mapping projects, ensuring that we have the appropriate evidence to support decision making.

You will:

Advise flood management teams on hydraulic and hydrological modelling; providing expert technical input and professional support.
Actively nurture talent, foster collaboration, and create a continuous learning environment where professional growth is prioritised, while investing in your own development.
Communicate flood risk analyses and uncertainty to internal/external stakeholders.
Advise on appropriate tools and techniques for hydraulic and hydrological modelling approaches.
Showcase a positive health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
Foster innovation to become more efficient and sustainable
Use your technical skills to support incident response

The team

We are part of the national Digital Data Evidence (DDE) service, within the National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Department. We provide hydraulic and hydrological modelling services to help improve our understanding of flood risk. Working with partners, we provide expert advice, data, and analysis to support flood management. Our modelling shows where and how flooding could affect communities, giving evidence to guide decisions on investment, managing risk, and responding to incidents.

Experience/skills required

You will be able to demonstrate:

Expert knowledge in flood modelling and hydrology.
Experience with flood modelling software, such as Flood Estimation, Guidelines, Flood Modeller, TuFLOW, InfoWorks ICM.
Experience in data processing and management, and Geographical Information System (GIS) software packages.
Mentoring and coaching skills, as well as a commitment to continuous development.
Ability to work individually and as part of a team to take decisions and solve problems.
Strong communicator with the ability to explain complex issues and build effective stakeholder relationships.
Positive health, safety and wellbeing behaviours with a commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity.
Influencing and persuading skills.
Ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders

It would also be useful to have some understanding of how flood risk evidence supports flood risk management investment programmes and flood mapping projects.

Contact and additional information

The Environment Agency is a great place to work. We offer fantastic benefits to our employees, which include flexible working opportunities, 27 days annual leave, 37hr working weeks, award-winning Pension Fund, and a range of employee benefits. Find out more in the Candidate Pack and our Careers website.

We are a national team so there is flexibility around base office locations across England. We support flexible working; however, some national travel and attendance at in-person meetings will be required on occasion in line with business need Your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection.

Interviews will be held in January 2026 via Microsoft Teams. If you would like to discuss the post, please contact Emma Dauben (emma.dauben@environment-agency.gov.uk).

Competence 1

Numerical Modelling and Forecasting

Description

Describe a time you have used your technical skills and experience to build, develop, or review a flood model (hydrological, real-time or non-real time).

Competence 2

Communicates Effectively

Description

Describe how you have communicated a technical issue to enable a decision to be made.

Competence 3

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Description

Provide an example of when you have identified and delivered a solution by effectively analysing all the information.

Competence 4

Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality

Description

Provide example of how you have led an innovation/efficiency to improve a service?

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

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, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know 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.

Fluvial Flood Risk Modelling Advisor