Job Description

Fish Farm Technical Officer - 32329

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Fish Farm Technical Officer - 32329

Number of jobs available
1
Region
East Midlands
City/Town
Nottingham
Building/Site
DEFRA GRP EA CALVERTON FISH FARM, NG14 6FZ
Grade
Staff Grade 4
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Environment & Sustainability
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
34,320
Closing Date:
08/12/2025, 23:55 hours


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Candidate pack
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Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
The National Coarse Fish Rearing Unit in Calverton, Nottinghamshire, are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the hard working and high achieving national team.



The role is extremely varied in nature and includes tasks such as aquaculture and induced spawning, fish husbandry including early rearing of fry, water quality monitoring, feeding of livestock, maintenance of equipment, machinery and buildings, driving various vehicles, and operating a wide range of machinery and systems. The role also involves working outdoors in all weather conditions and regular physical tasks.



This is an exciting opportunity to join a high performing and professional team who are dedicated to producing healthy, fit for purpose coarse fish for national stocking requirements, which contribute to the Environment Agency's vision of creating a better place for people and wildlife.




We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment. As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve and continue to develop diversity throughout our workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, or religion.
The team
The team at the National Coarse Fish Rearing Unit, Calverton, work closely with fisheries teams throughout the country and are responsible for supplying quality coarse fish for the stocking needs of the Environment Agency. Annual production reaches approximately 500,000 fish across 9 different species, all of which are stocked throughout England by the Environment Agency as part of our statutory responsibilities. Stocking purposes include post pollution/habitat improvement stockings, creation of new fisheries and angling opportunities.
Experience/skills required
Proven knowledge, ability and experience in the following: Relevant qualifications in aquaculture and fish/animal husbandry. Significant practical experience in aquaculture and fish/animal husbandry. Operation of a wide range of machinery including tractors and 4x4 vehicles etc. Safe use of hand tools including powered types. Construction skills such as pipe work, joinery, laying concrete and general building skills. A full UK driving licence. Ability to work with standard "office" packages such as Excel, Power point and Word to a basic skill level. Working in a year-round outdoor environment. Regular weekend and out of hours working. Contact and additional information
You will be based at The National Coarse Fish Rearing Unit in Calverton, Nottingham. Please note due to the nature of this role, hybrid home working is not a possibility.




Interviews will be held Mid-January 2026 Face to Face at The National Coarse Fish Rearing Unit in Calverton, Nottingham. NG14 6FZ.



For further details please contact Richard Pitman. Richard.pitman@environment-agency.gov.uk



Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises, having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and is an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment. Further information on incident response can be found within your candidate pack.
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Please explain, with an example, how you ensure you deliver high standards of work and a continued drive to meet targets.



Please note your answer will be used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering this question. Please refer to candidate pack guidance on how to answer these questions.
Competence 2
Works in Teams
Description
This role involves working closely within a small team. Can you describe a time where you have worked effectively as part of a team to achieve a shared goal. Why was it successful?



Please note your answer will be used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering this question. Please refer to candidate pack guidance on how to answer these questions.
Competence 3
Manage your health and safety
Description
This role involves working in outdoor environments where conditions can sometimes be unpredictable or challenging. Can you describe a time when you had to reassess a situation due to changing conditions or unforeseen hazards and complications. What was the hazard identified, what actions did you take, and what was the outcome?



Please note your answer will be used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering this question. Please refer to candidate pack guidance on how to answer these questions.
Competence 4
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
When working in aquaculture, swift thinking and the ability to solve problems is essential. Can you describe a situation where you had to solve a problem to maintain operational effectiveness. How did you approach the situation and why was your solution successful?



Please note your answer will be used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering this question. Please refer to candidate pack guidance on how to answer these questions.
Role specific license requirements
Full UK Driving Licence

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.