Environment protection
Our Operations Portfolio specialises in the protection and regulation of five key areas of Scotland’s environment: air, water, waste, land and radioactive substances.
Each team specialises in one of these areas and therefore each post differs slightly depending on specialism and as such may require specialist knowledge of a related field.
Environment Protection teams are based across Scotland, with Specialist roles tending to be based in our larger offices.
The role of an Assistant Environment Protection Officer is to assist in the regulation and enforcement of a range of environmental legislation including:
- protection of the water environment (controls on point source discharges, engineering, abstractions and impoundments);
- emissions to air from prescribed processes;
- the storage, treatment, transfer and disposal or controlled waste (excluding radioactive waste);
- use of sealed radioactive sources.
Key requirements for this role include an understanding of the legislation covering various environments, and technical expertise in a variety of related areas. Candidates should also have a minimum of one year of experience in pollution control, water resources, engineering in surface waters or river geomorphology. Candidates should also be able to produce technical reports or updates on pollution events.
Our Environment Protection Officers provide regulation and enforcement of a range of environmental legislation including:
- protection of the water environment (controls on point source discharges, engineering, abstractions and impoundments);
- emissions to air from prescribed processes;
- the storage, treatment, transfer and disposal of controlled waste (excluding radioactive waste);
- use of sealed radioactive sources.
Entry qualifications to this post include a relevant degree, a minimum of one year of relevant pollution control, water resources, engineering in surface waters or river geomorphology experience, technical expertise in a variety of areas and detailed knowledge of legislation related to environment protection. This role will also include producing technical reports on pollution events for seniors within the team, the licensing team and internal and external working groups.
The role of the Senior Environment Protection Officer (SEPO) is to supervise a small group of staff, and includes being responsible for the allocation of tasks on a day to day basis, monitoring the quality of output and providing technical guidance, support, mentoring and training to less experienced staff.
Because of their close involvement with more junior officers, SEPOs are expected to provide input to the performance management process and to be accountable to the Unit Manager for the output of a group of staff or activity.
As experienced regulatory officers, SEPOs undertake all aspects of regulating activities liable to have an impact on the environment, and in particular activities of a more contentious or sensitive nature.
Applicants for this post must have :
- a relevant degree;
- minimum of three years of relevant experience in pollution control;
- detailed knowledge of all environmental legislation relevant to the post;
- an understanding of environmental issues and impacts in all media and factors affecting those SEPA regulates;
- an understanding of the links between policy and operations ;
- an appreciation of the supervision and mentoring of staff.
Our Specialist IIs provide specialist technical and professional advice within a particular regulatory regime and to respond to all aspects of the provisions of those regimes either directly or through supporting other Operations staff by way of quality monitoring and technical guidance. As experienced regulatory officers, our Specialist IIs undertake all aspects of regulation of activities liable to impact on the environment and in particular those activities of a more contentious or sensitive nature. Minimum requirements for this post include a relevant degree, a minimum of three years of pollution control experience (including use of relevant computer modelling systems), detailed knowledge and understanding of the industries SEPA regulates and specialist knowledge of environmental legislation.
Due to the nature of the post Specialist IIs also require an understanding of the links between policy and operations and detailed knowledge of regulated customers’ expectations and requirements.
The role of the Specialist I is to provide expert technical and professional advice and expertise within a particular regulatory regime and, when required, to provide supervisory management support being fully accountable for delegated responsibilities. This type of role requires a relevant degree, a minimum of five years of specialist technical/scientific knowledge and specialist knowledge of all environmental legislation related to the specialist area of expertise.
Postholders must have the ability to influence senior representatives of external organisations and industry and demonstrate a high degree of tact, diplomacy and understanding of relevant business drivers.
Our Planning Department co-ordinates SEPA’s response to land use planning development control consultations and assists in the creation of our response to development plan consultations by liaising with appropriate consultees and issuing formal responses. The planning department also liaises with planning authorities to promote SEPA’s interests and to maintain and develop a partnership-based approach to our interaction with the planning system. Roles include Planning Officer, Senior Planning Officer and Unit Manager.
Minimum requirements include a relevant degree in a related subject such as town planning. Candidates should also have previous experience in a similar role and an understanding of the legislation related to planning.
Written and oral communication skills and report writing skills are also necessary in order to prepare responses to development proposals and structure local plans. Senior posts require candidates to demonstrate a minimum of three years relevant experience. Planning roles are based in our larger offices.
SEPA’s legal team provides legal advice and guidance on operational matters and on the practical implementation of new legislation. This includes providing legal advice on environmental legislation and regulation and guidance during the preparation of reports for the Procurator Fiscal. Roles include Solicitor, Regional Solicitor and Legal Assistant.
The minimum requirements for a Legal Assistant post are a relevant degree and one year of administrative experience. For Solicitor posts candidates must be a qualified solicitor with an LLB and Diploma in Legal Practice and have expert knowledge of all legislation related to environmental matters including a minimum of three years' experience in the application of environmental legislation. Legal roles are based in our larger offices.