Personal Assistant - 29670

Job Description

The Environment Agency are fully 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.

We have an exciting opportunity for 2 Personal Assistants to join our team of PAs in the Business Support Team. The team enables our senior leaders to give their best to create better places for people and wildlife and support sustainable development.

Naturally organised, you will be someone that enjoys multi-tasking and prioritising tasks. You will manage calendars, book accommodation and travel, and use your excellent judgment to triage email traffic. You will enjoy thinking ahead for our leaders and will step forward happily to administer whatever is needed to keep us all on track. You will join a flourishing and supportive community of professional administrators who enjoy helping one another to succeed. You will be respected for the important job that you do as a member of this important profession. And thanks to flexible working practices you will be able to manage your work life balance in the best way for you. We understand that happy, healthy people are what makes this organisation great. And we want people to thrive by bringing their whole selves to work.

You will put teamwork at the heart of what you do and be part of a positive, inclusive and supportive environment where your team, and customers, feel valued.

The team

You’ll join our Business Support Team, based in the Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate. The team is dispersed across the country. We provide a Personal Assistant support service to the Executive Directors across the Directorate.

In E&B we promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We use evidence, expertise, engagement, and innovation to enhance and support delivery, influence policy, legislation, and secure resources.

Experience/skills Required

In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your:

• ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work
• ability to build great working relationships
• great communication skills, both verbal and written
• ability to work flexibly and at pace
• ability to anticipate and manage the expectations of customers and colleagues
• passion for being organised and for organising things for others
• ability to proactively seek out and embed continuous improvement
• ability to spot what needs doing and get it done well, at the right time.
  
  
  

You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.

Contact and additional information

You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll support you to find an incident role to suit your needs and circumstances. Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible.

We use smart tools to stay connected/reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Please see Candidate / Additional Information Pack for more information. Any queries, contact jodi.twist@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer an alternative post.

Competence 1

Manages Self

Description

Please tell us about a time when you have used your skills to manage yourself and your personal resilience / wellbeing during a busy time. You may wish to include details around: your knowledge and experience, how you seek feedback, your flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Competence 2

Communicates Effectively

Description

Please tell us how your personal approach ensures clear and effective communication to others, and also give us an example of how you have dealt with a difficult situation previously and ensured a positive outcome?

Competence 3

Builds and Sustains Relationships

Description

Can you tell us a time when you have had to build a working relationship quickly to achieve a goal?

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.