Job description for Environmental Protection Officer

Are you passionate about environmental protection and sustainability? Do you have the expertise to drive impactful initiatives within a dynamic team? If so, this might be the right opportunity for you.

We are looking for an Environmental Protection Officer (EPO) to join the DE&S Estate Plans, Head of Establishment management team. Our environmental professional will play a vital role in assessing, assuring and implementing environmental policies and strategies for the DE&S establishment and assisting and contributing to the wider defence industry community.

Please note that this is a site-based role in Bicester, embedded within the Head of Establishment (HoE) team. The EPO’s primary function is to support and assure the HoE by deploying subject matter expertise in the field of Environmental Protection, including ecology, and to actively champion activities towards achieving Net Zero. By developing and maintaining an Environmental Management System for the site you will ensure legal compliance as well as adhering to all DE&S environmental policies. As an EPO, you’ll use your communication and influencing skills to build strong relationships with stakeholders and share critical information for environmental protection and sustainability goals.

Please also be advised that you will be expected to undertake a range of activities across site, therefore the successful applicant will be required to have a good level of physical fitness. Occasional travel to other sites is necessary, therefore you will be required to hold a current, full, clean driving licence. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided. Occasionally hybrid working may be permissible dependant on the current site activities.

At DE&S we are passionate about professional development and welcome applications from those who hold or are currently working towards their professional qualifications. If you have not yet had the opportunity to purse this, we are keen to support you in your continued professional development. Our more senior environmental protection managers will also be on hand to mentor and develop you helping to improve your skills and progress your career.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting the delivery of effective management of statutory compliance commitments whilst championing continuous improvement on behalf of the site’s Head of Establishment (HoE)
• Promoting a single way of working to underpin the cohesive and coherent delivery of environmental protection in tune with corporate expectations
• Maintaining the site environmental management system and conduct a holistic review on an annual basis
• Acting as site waste manager, site conservation officer and site energy focal point, providing advice to the HOE as required
• Building constructive relationships with delivery partners, lodgers and all stakeholders on a multi occupancy estate
• Conducting checks, supporting assurance reviews and deliver monitoring guidance
• Being a key focal point for championing net zero initiatives

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Hold a relevant Environmental (i.e Level 2 or higher) qualification or NEBOSH Environmental certificate OR have equivalent relevant experience
• Hold a full, clean manual driving licence
• Demonstrate strong IT skills, particularly with Microsoft Office applications
• Have an understanding of Net Zero

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Conducting OHSEP Audit and Assurance Activities (Practitioner)
• Incident reporting and investigation (Expert)
• Communicating and influencing
• Working together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,800, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,081 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

More information can be found below:

• DE&S Little Book of Big Benefits: https://bit.ly/3FEb54v
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

Selection Process Details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.

2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills

Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.

3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.