Job Description

Senior Data Engineer - 31466

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Senior Data Engineer - 31466

Number of jobs available
1
Region
National, South West
City/Town
Bristol
Grade
Staff Grade 6
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Architecture and Data, Digital, Engineering, Information Technology
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
Salary Minimum
52,929
Closing Date:
07/08/2025, 23:55 hours


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Candidate pack
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Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
The Environment Agency (EA) are committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. 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.



Data and information are critical to every decision we make when it comes to protecting and improving the country's environment.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape how we use data to transform our services and decision-making setting our corporate approaches and patterns.

You will:

Work with teams across the organisation to understand data needs and deliver strategic solutions. Support service first and transformation, realising efficiencies and recognising opportunities to streamline data flows. Collaborate on the development of our data integration services and roadmaps. Help us to design, develop and validate data pipelines to extract, transform, and load (ETL) data. Use data modelling techniques to combine multiple data sources to a conformed model for analysis, ensuring data maintains consistency and accuracy. Maintain clear documentation and develop best practices guidance, processes as well as authoring reports, papers and presentations. Work with our national leads providing specialist input to our priority projects including digital first, trustworthy data, transforming data publication. Coach and mentor colleagues, sharing your technical expertise. Promote a culture of continuous improvement.


Join us, and you will play a vital role in developing and delivering our data and information services and our corporate data approaches to deliver data excellence as part of our transformation journey.
The team
The Data Management team is a centre of excellence within the Data and Information department, part of the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance directorate. We specialise in data architecture, integration, standards, and quality. Our mission is to empower the Environment Agency to create trusted data, enabling smarter decisions and better outcomes. By delivering expert services, leadership, and best practice, we help teams across the organisation work more efficiently, confidently, and strategically with their data.
Experience/skills required
We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:

Essential Skills:

Experience leading and delivering data engineering projects or work packages. Strong understanding of data integration and ETL technologies and processes. Hands-on experience with ETL tools (e.g. Safe FME) and programming languages (e.g. Python, SQL). Developing strategic data integration approaches and translating these into practical delivery tasks and roadmaps including designing data services to support analytics and reference data management. Ability to communicate effectively complex technical ideas to non-technical audiences. Strong documentation and reporting skills. Being able to advocate for your team and manage different perspectives and opinions.

Desirable Skills:

Knowledge of data modelling and data architecture principles. Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure). Familiarity with data warehousing, data lakes, or data mesh architectures. Understanding of data governance, security, and compliance. Self-starter, organised, collaborative and open to different perspectives. Contact and additional information
This role requires UK Security Check (SC) clearance. To be eligible, you must:

Have lived in the UK for the past five years Provide a verifiable employment history

We are unable to sponsor Skilled Worker visa applications.



Bristol is the preferred location to support hub-based working, though other locations may be considered based on office capacity. We support blended working, you'll have a formal office base, with flexibility to work from home. Occasional travel may be required. Remote collaboration via Teams and Outlook is expected.



We pay a 19% employer contribution into your pension pot. This role includes incident response duties. Further this and benefits are outlined in the candidate pack.



Interviews will be held in mid-September via Microsoft Teams.



Contact: susan.macleay@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Data and Information Management
Description
Data and Information - Anticipates and understands data and information needs across the organisation. Identifies and applies the tools, technologies, and skills required to manage, integrate, and exploit data effectively. Designs and implements robust data pipelines and architectures that support data quality, accessibility, and reuse. Continuously improves data processes to enable insight, innovation, and informed decision-making.



Question


Give an example of how you managed data through its full lifecycle--from ingestion to archiving or deletion. Including what tools or processes you use to ensure data quality and compliance throughout as well as taking account of corporate design principles?



PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.



CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for interview selection.



If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
Competence 2
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Description
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality - Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy



Question

Can you highlight when you have been instrumental in improving an existing data process? What was the issue, what changes did you implement, and how did you measure the improvement?



PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.



CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for interview selection.
Competence 3
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Description
Focuses on Customers and Partners - Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.



Question

Describe a situation where a customer's requirements were unclear or conflicting. How did you clarify their needs and deliver a workable solution?



PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.



CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for interview selection.
Competence 4
Communicates Effectively
Description
Communicates effectively - Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.



Question

Use an example to help you describe a situation where you had to communicate with multiple stakeholders with different levels of technical understanding. How did you ensure your message was clear and well received?



PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.



CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for interview selection.

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.